On the morning of September 28, 2025, what began as a peaceful Sunday service at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, quickly turned into a scene of horror and heartbreak. Members of the congregation had gathered in quiet prayer when suddenly, violence erupted without warning. According to eyewitness accounts and official reports, a gunman forcefully entered the church, opening fire on the people inside and then setting the building ablaze in an attack described by law enforcement as deliberate and premeditated.
The suspect has been identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, a former U.S. Marine from nearby Burton, Michigan. Shortly after the attack began, police responded swiftly and confronted Sanford outside the church. In the ensuing confrontation, officers fatally shot him just minutes after the violence erupted. Authorities have confirmed multiple fatalities, with several people injured and others still unaccounted for as recovery and rescue operations continue.
Details of the Attack and Police Response
Police reports reveal that Sanford arrived at the church driving a four-door pickup truck prominently displaying two American flags. Eyewitnesses described how he rammed his vehicle through the church’s front doors during the ongoing service, creating chaos and panic among the attendees. Moments after crashing through the entrance, he exited his vehicle and began firing into the congregation, sending people fleeing for their lives.
Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye reported that hundreds of people were inside the chapel at the time of the shooting. Officers were dispatched within 30 seconds of receiving emergency calls and arrived on scene quickly. Despite their rapid response, the suspect managed to ignite a fire inside the building before being fatally shot outside the church approximately eight minutes later. Firefighters battled the flames for hours, as thick black smoke billowed from the structure.
Investigation Finds Use of Gasoline and Suspicious Devices
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) later confirmed that gasoline was used as an accelerant to fuel the fire. In addition, law enforcement discovered suspected explosive devices at the scene. James Deir, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Detroit Field Division, stated that while these devices were found, it remains unclear if they were used to start the fire. The presence of these devices intensified concerns that the attack was meticulously planned. Authorities are continuing to investigate Sanford’s background and possible motives but have not released any definitive conclusions.
Casualties and Ongoing Search for Missing Persons
By Sunday evening, the confirmed death toll stood at four, with one individual in critical condition and seven others stable but injured. Two bodies were recovered from the burnt remains of the church, but the full extent of the casualties has yet to be determined. Officials warn that additional victims may be found as rescue crews carefully sift through the debris once conditions improve. Chief Renye confirmed that some people remained unaccounted for, and the search had been temporarily halted at nightfall due to poor visibility and safety concerns. A law enforcement source informed CNN that as many as seven individuals were still missing, though some may simply have not made contact with family or friends.
Who Was Thomas Jacob Sanford?
Sanford served in the United States Marine Corps from June 2004 to June 2008, achieving the rank of sergeant. During his military career, he specialized as an organizational automotive mechanic and vehicle recovery operator. His service included deployment to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, from August 2007 to March 2008. Little is known about any connection Sanford may have had to the LDS Church. Authorities have cordoned off the street leading to his home in Burton and are conducting a thorough search of the property, looking for clues to explain his actions.
A Difficult Past and Family Struggles
In 2015, Sanford’s life was deeply affected by a serious medical crisis involving his newborn son, Brantlee Sanford. Reports reveal that Brantlee was diagnosed with congenital hyperinsulinism, a rare and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by excessive insulin production that can cause severe brain damage if untreated.
Born six weeks premature at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Brantlee required a feeding tube, a ventilator, and round-the-clock monitoring. Sanford, then known in local media as Jake Sanford, took family medical leave from his job at Coca-Cola to care for his son during this challenging time. His fiancée, Tella Campbell, was a stay-at-home mother who supported the family.
The family sought specialized treatment at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Texas, one of only two hospitals in the U.S. dedicated to congenital hyperinsulinism care. Under the supervision of Dr. Thornton at the hospital’s Congenital Hyperinsulinism Center and Endocrine Diabetes Program, Brantlee received intensive medical care. This medical ordeal placed significant emotional and financial stress on the family, who relied heavily on community support and loved ones to manage the challenges.
A Mysterious Social Media Post Before the Attack
In an eerie coincidence, just hours before the tragic incident, a cryptic social media post appeared on the Facebook page of Sanford’s mother, Brenda Walters-Sanford. The post, since deleted, contained a pointed statement: “Life isn’t a FREE RIDE!! No matter what JOB you have!!!” The message went on to include a lengthy repost concerning proposed changes to congressional benefits and government accountability. Though primarily political in nature, the timing of the post has raised questions among investigators, given that it was shared publicly on the same day Sanford carried out the deadly attack.
Neighbors React in Shock and Grief
In the quiet neighborhood of Burton where Sanford lived with his wife, their child, and possibly his mother, neighbors expressed shock and sorrow at the news. Randy Thronson, a 71-year-old military veteran living nearby, said police rarely appeared in the area and described Sanford as a “good neighbor.” “It’s really sad,” Thronson said. “He might have just snapped.” Another resident, 44-year-old Mike Pate, shared similar disbelief. “It’s surreal, having something like this happen so close to home,” he said. “When you see these things on the news, it always feels far away, but now it’s right here.”
A Community in Mourning and Questions Without Answers
As investigators continue their painstaking work, carefully combing through the ruins of the church and Sanford’s home, many questions remain unanswered. Authorities have not disclosed any clear motive, manifesto, or message explaining why Sanford, a war veteran and father, would commit such a horrific act. The community of Grand Blanc Township is left devastated, grappling with the loss of loved ones, the destruction of a place of worship, and the lasting impact of trauma. Though the search for answers continues, the scars left by this tragedy will take time to heal. For now, families mourn, emergency responders work tirelessly, and the community seeks solace amid the smoldering remains of a sanctuary that was meant to be a place of peace and hope.
On the morning of September 28, 2025, what began as a peaceful Sunday service at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, quickly turned into a scene of horror and heartbreak. Members of the congregation had gathered in quiet prayer when suddenly, violence erupted without warning. According to eyewitness accounts and official reports, a gunman forcefully entered the church, opening fire on the people inside and then setting the building ablaze in an attack described by law enforcement as deliberate and premeditated.
The suspect has been identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, a former U.S. Marine from nearby Burton, Michigan. Shortly after the attack began, police responded swiftly and confronted Sanford outside the church. In the ensuing confrontation, officers fatally shot him just minutes after the violence erupted. Authorities have confirmed multiple fatalities, with several people injured and others still unaccounted for as recovery and rescue operations continue.
Details of the Attack and Police Response
Police reports reveal that Sanford arrived at the church driving a four-door pickup truck prominently displaying two American flags. Eyewitnesses described how he rammed his vehicle through the church’s front doors during the ongoing service, creating chaos and panic among the attendees. Moments after crashing through the entrance, he exited his vehicle and began firing into the congregation, sending people fleeing for their lives.
Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye reported that hundreds of people were inside the chapel at the time of the shooting. Officers were dispatched within 30 seconds of receiving emergency calls and arrived on scene quickly. Despite their rapid response, the suspect managed to ignite a fire inside the building before being fatally shot outside the church approximately eight minutes later. Firefighters battled the flames for hours, as thick black smoke billowed from the structure.
Investigation Finds Use of Gasoline and Suspicious Devices
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) later confirmed that gasoline was used as an accelerant to fuel the fire. In addition, law enforcement discovered suspected explosive devices at the scene. James Deir, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Detroit Field Division, stated that while these devices were found, it remains unclear if they were used to start the fire. The presence of these devices intensified concerns that the attack was meticulously planned. Authorities are continuing to investigate Sanford’s background and possible motives but have not released any definitive conclusions.
Casualties and Ongoing Search for Missing Persons
By Sunday evening, the confirmed death toll stood at four, with one individual in critical condition and seven others stable but injured. Two bodies were recovered from the burnt remains of the church, but the full extent of the casualties has yet to be determined. Officials warn that additional victims may be found as rescue crews carefully sift through the debris once conditions improve. Chief Renye confirmed that some people remained unaccounted for, and the search had been temporarily halted at nightfall due to poor visibility and safety concerns. A law enforcement source informed CNN that as many as seven individuals were still missing, though some may simply have not made contact with family or friends.
Who Was Thomas Jacob Sanford?
Sanford served in the United States Marine Corps from June 2004 to June 2008, achieving the rank of sergeant. During his military career, he specialized as an organizational automotive mechanic and vehicle recovery operator. His service included deployment to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, from August 2007 to March 2008. Little is known about any connection Sanford may have had to the LDS Church. Authorities have cordoned off the street leading to his home in Burton and are conducting a thorough search of the property, looking for clues to explain his actions.
A Difficult Past and Family Struggles
In 2015, Sanford’s life was deeply affected by a serious medical crisis involving his newborn son, Brantlee Sanford. Reports reveal that Brantlee was diagnosed with congenital hyperinsulinism, a rare and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by excessive insulin production that can cause severe brain damage if untreated.
Born six weeks premature at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Brantlee required a feeding tube, a ventilator, and round-the-clock monitoring. Sanford, then known in local media as Jake Sanford, took family medical leave from his job at Coca-Cola to care for his son during this challenging time. His fiancée, Tella Campbell, was a stay-at-home mother who supported the family.
The family sought specialized treatment at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Texas, one of only two hospitals in the U.S. dedicated to congenital hyperinsulinism care. Under the supervision of Dr. Thornton at the hospital’s Congenital Hyperinsulinism Center and Endocrine Diabetes Program, Brantlee received intensive medical care. This medical ordeal placed significant emotional and financial stress on the family, who relied heavily on community support and loved ones to manage the challenges.
A Mysterious Social Media Post Before the Attack
In an eerie coincidence, just hours before the tragic incident, a cryptic social media post appeared on the Facebook page of Sanford’s mother, Brenda Walters-Sanford. The post, since deleted, contained a pointed statement: “Life isn’t a FREE RIDE!! No matter what JOB you have!!!” The message went on to include a lengthy repost concerning proposed changes to congressional benefits and government accountability. Though primarily political in nature, the timing of the post has raised questions among investigators, given that it was shared publicly on the same day Sanford carried out the deadly attack.
Neighbors React in Shock and Grief
In the quiet neighborhood of Burton where Sanford lived with his wife, their child, and possibly his mother, neighbors expressed shock and sorrow at the news. Randy Thronson, a 71-year-old military veteran living nearby, said police rarely appeared in the area and described Sanford as a “good neighbor.” “It’s really sad,” Thronson said. “He might have just snapped.” Another resident, 44-year-old Mike Pate, shared similar disbelief. “It’s surreal, having something like this happen so close to home,” he said. “When you see these things on the news, it always feels far away, but now it’s right here.”
A Community in Mourning and Questions Without Answers
As investigators continue their painstaking work, carefully combing through the ruins of the church and Sanford’s home, many questions remain unanswered. Authorities have not disclosed any clear motive, manifesto, or message explaining why Sanford, a war veteran and father, would commit such a horrific act. The community of Grand Blanc Township is left devastated, grappling with the loss of loved ones, the destruction of a place of worship, and the lasting impact of trauma. Though the search for answers continues, the scars left by this tragedy will take time to heal. For now, families mourn, emergency responders work tirelessly, and the community seeks solace amid the smoldering remains of a sanctuary that was meant to be a place of peace and hope.
