A Sunday service in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, turned into a nightmare when a gunman rammed his vehicle into a church, set the building on fire, and opened fire on congregants. At least four people have died, multiple others were critically injured, and authorities are still investigating the attack.
Fast Facts
- Police identified the suspected gunman as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, of Burton, Michigan, who drove a truck into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, set it on fire and opened fire during Sunday service.
- At least four people are dead, seven are in stable condition and one remains in critical condition. Two were killed by gunfire; two others were found after the fire.
- The shooter, armed with what appeared to be a rifle, exchanged gunfire with officers and was killed at the scene.
- The FBI is leading the case, with ATF, state, and local authorities assisting.
- Leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called the violence “tragic,” urging prayer, peace, and support for victims and families.
- Police said additional people may have died in the blaze, but the number has not yet been confirmed.
4 dead after additional bodies found, police say
Two more people are confirmed dead as a result of Sunday’s shooting and fire at a Mormon church in Michigan as the search for additional victims continues.
Authorities in Grand Blanc Township said two additional bodies were recovered from the burned out church.
The other two people killed were shot, police said.Police believe the attacker used an accelerant, likely gasoline, to start the fire.
The attacker was killed by police.
“The entire church has not been cleared because it’s a total loss due to the fire,” Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye told reporters.
He noted that some people remained unaccounted for as of Sunday night.
Emergency personnel work at the scene of a shooting which took place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to police, in Grand Blanc, Michigan, U.S., Sept. 28, 2025. (REUTERS/Rebecca Cook)
Thomas Jacob Sanford, the man police said crashed his truck into a Michigan church, set it on fire and shot churchgoers in a violent attack, is a former Marine.
The Marine Corps confirmed to Fox News’ Garrett Tenney that Sanford, 40, of Burton, Michigan, was a Marine and served from 2004-2008, including deployments to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He was deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom and worked as an automotive mechanic and vehicle recovery operator.
His last assignment was with the 2nd Marine Logistics Group in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and Sanford left the Marines as a sergeant.
He earned several awards during his four years of service, including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Police have confirmed at least two people died in the shooting. Eight other people were injured. Authorities said they fear more people may have died in the fire, but have not been able to say how many.