Sunday morning’s worship at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, turned into a nightmare. A 40-year-old man, now identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford of nearby Burton, plowed his pickup into the chapel entrance, exited, and unleashed gunfire indiscriminately on the congregation. Then he set the building on fire. When police intervened, they fatally shot him. At least four people are confirmed dead and eight more wounded. Investigators warn the toll may climb as the charred structure is methodically searched.
The attack began just before 10:25 a.m. local time, when Sanford drove a silver Chevrolet Silverado through the church’s front doors. Witnesses say two American flags were mounted in the truck bed. Inside, hundreds of worshippers had gathered for service and gospel study. He leapt out with a semi-automatic rifle and opened fire, causing panic and chaos. As flames rapidly engulfed the structure, he retreated to the parking area, where law enforcement engaged and ultimately killed him in a shoot-out about eight minutes later.
By midday the fire was raging fiercely. Flames roared through the sanctuary, thick black smoke billowing for miles. Firefighters battled the blaze until early afternoon, but the roof had already collapsed, trapping portions of the interior under twisted beams. Within the wreckage, first responders discovered additional victims who had perished in the inferno. Thus far, four dead have been confirmed: two from gunshot wounds and two found amid the burned ruins. Eight others were hospitalized, with one in critical condition and the rest stable. Officials caution there may be more, given how severely damaged the building is.
Sanford’s background adds layers to the tragedy. He was a U.S. Marine veteran who served in Iraq between 2004 and 2008, according to accounts from his family and preliminary military record checks. He lived on Atherton Road in Burton, in a house swarmed by bomb squad, SWAT, and FBI personnel in the hours after the attack. Inside his vehicle and home, investigators claim to have found improvised explosive devices, leading authorities to treat the scene as potentially far more sinister. Officials are now scouring his phone and digital records for clues to motive, looking especially for signs of extremist or anti-religious ideology.
The local community is reeling. Neighbors described Sanford as quiet but reserved. Some who lived near him said they heard nothing unusual in recent days. At the church, survivors, first responders, and volunteers are working to identify the missing, support the injured, and console terrified families. Church leadership released a statement early on, expressing deep sorrow and pledging cooperation with law enforcement. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said her “heart is breaking for the Grand Blanc community” and condemned violence in places of worship as “unacceptable.”
Federal agencies, including the FBI and the ATF, have deployed agents to assist. In a coordinated effort, more than 100 federal agents are now involved, helping process bomb evidence, probing motive, and securing digital leads. Local law enforcement says the operation could take days before the full death count is clear. Meanwhile, nearby churches and religious institutions have heightened security out of both precaution and solidarity.
What drove Sanford to slaughter fellow worshippers in a sacred space remains unknown. Investigators are exploring potential links to mental health struggles, post-traumatic stress disorder, or radicalization. Whether the timing—coming just a day after the death of LDS Church President Russell M. Nelson—was coincidental or intentional remains under scrutiny. With so many questions open and so many lives shattered, the community and nation now await answers even as they begin the slow, painful process of healing.