A quiet Sunday morning in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, turned into a devastating tragedy when a gunman opened fire inside a local church and set it ablaze. The horrific incident left four people dead, several others injured, and an entire community shaken.
The attack took place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday, leaving first responders searching through the ruins for victims and evidence.
The Tragic Sequence of Events
Time of attack: The shooting began at 10:25 a.m., when the suspect drove his vehicle directly into the church.
Opening fire: Armed with an assault rifle, he opened fire on worshippers attending the Sunday service.
Quick police response: Officers arrived within 30 seconds of the first emergency call. The gunman was fatally shot by police eight minutes later in the church’s rear car park.
Fire outbreak: Authorities believe the suspect used accelerants, likely petrol, to start a fire that engulfed the church.
Eyewitness Accounts
Paula Maser, a worshipper inside, described the terrifying moment:
“We heard a big bang and it blew the doors in the church, and then everything after that was chaos.”
Maser and her friend fled in a car, which was struck by bullets. One round grazed her friend’s hand.Janet Peera, a local resident, recalled hearing gunfire as emergency vehicles rushed past her house. She later saw the shocking aftermath:
“There were bodies lying on the sidewalk. There was one lying in the back of somebody’s truck that had just gotten shot maybe a couple times in the leg.”
Casualties and Injuries
Fatalities: At least two of the four deaths were caused by gunfire.
Injuries: Eight people were wounded, including one in critical condition. The other seven were stabilised in hospital.
Recovery efforts: Police confirmed some people remain unaccounted for as debris is being carefully searched.
Grand Blanc Township Police Chief Bill Renye called the church a “total loss” due to the fire.
The Suspect: Former Marine Identified
The gunman was identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, a 40-year-old former U.S. Marine from Burton, Michigan.
Military service:
Joined the Marine Corps in 2004
Served as an automotive mechanic and vehicle recovery operator
Deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom (2007–2008)
Last stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina before leaving the Marines in 2008
Honours received: Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and more.
Sanford graduated from Goodrich High School in 2003, but attempts to contact his family have so far been unsuccessful.
Investigation: Motive Still Unknown
The FBI has confirmed it is treating the attack as an “act of targeted violence.” However, the motive remains unclear.
Explosives found: The ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) reported finding suspected explosive devices at the scene.
Accelerant used: Investigators believe petrol was deliberately spread to fuel the blaze.
Church destroyed: The fire caused near-total destruction, complicating recovery and evidence collection.
FBI Acting Special Agent Reuben Coleman said:
“This act of violence has no place in our state or anywhere else in our country. The FBI is committed to finding out the facts, circumstances and motives behind this tragedy.”
Community in Shock
The Grand Blanc Township community has been left in mourning, with many struggling to come to terms with the attack on what should have been a peaceful day of worship. Emergency services and investigators continue their work at the site, searching for answers and accounting for everyone who may have been inside the church at the time.
Key Takeaways
Four people killed, including two by gunfire.
Eight injured, one critically.
Suspect identified as former Marine Thomas Jacob Sanford.
Motive remains unclear, but FBI calls it “targeted violence.”
Explosives and accelerants believed to have been used.
Church destroyed in the blaze.
References
FBI Detroit Field Office Press Conference
ATF Detroit Division Statements
Local Eyewitness Testimonies
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