A gunman rammed a pickup truck into a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, on Sunday morning, September 28th, opening fire and setting the building ablaze before being fatally shot by police. Authorities confirmed that four people were killed and eight others injured, including children, as crews searched the ruins for additional victims.
Police identified the shooter as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, a Marine veteran who served in Iraq from 2007 to 2008. Officers responding to a 911 call arrived within 30 seconds and engaged Sanford in a brief gunfight after he left the church, killing him approximately eight minutes later. Investigators described the attack as an “act of targeted violence” and said explosive devices were found at the scene, though it remains unclear whether they were used to start the fire.
Authorities completed their search of the debris by Monday, confirming that all who were inside at the time of the attack had been accounted for. Eight patients were treated at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital, ranging in age from 6 to 78. Five suffered gunshot wounds, one of whom died, and three experienced smoke inhalation. Hospital staff, including some who were church members, assisted victims despite the emotional strain.
Witnesses recounted the bravery of congregants who shielded children and helped move them to safety during the attack. Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson noted the resilience of children, observing that “it’s the little kids that had the biggest feeling of resilience, because they’ve been trained for this since they were in elementary school, middle school. They knew what was happening.”
Local and state leaders condemned the violence. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer called the shooting “unacceptable” and ordered flags lowered statewide, while President Donald Trump praised law enforcement for their swift response. Investigators continue to examine Sanford’s residence and digital media to determine a motive, with the FBI leading the ongoing investigation.
The incident marked the second mass shooting in the U.S. in less than 24 hours and is part of a troubling pattern of attacks on houses of worship across the country.
