Attack, Firestorm, and Shootout Rock Grand Blanc Township Church
Early Sunday, a man crashed a vehicle into the doors of a church in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, before opening fire and setting the structure ablaze. He was later killed in a shootout with responding officers. The church belonged to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints, and was engulfed in smoke and flames by the time rescue teams arrived.
The attacker was identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, a former US Marine from Burton. Investigators believe he used gasoline as an accelerant and set explosives inside the building. Officials said at least four people were killed, and eight others were wounded. Two deaths were confirmed earlier, and additional bodies were discovered in the church ruins. Local police noted that more victims may remain unaccounted for.
Hundreds of worshippers were present in the building during the assault. Two officers arrived within 30 seconds of emergency calls, and engaged the shooter about eight minutes after the attack began. He was fatally shot in the church parking lot. Authorities are now investigating the motive and searching his home and phone for clues.
Damage, Community Shock, and National Reactions
The church’s interior and infrastructure sustained severe damage. Among the sites hit was a cardiology institute in the adjacent area, where two of the victims were found. A 12‑year‑old girl was among the dead, city officials said. The mayor confirmed that homes and community infrastructure nearby were damaged by explosions or debris.
Authorities treated the attack as targeted violence. The FBI and ATF are leading the investigation. National and local leaders condemned the act. Former President Donald Trump called it a “targeted attack on Christians” and urged immediate action to curb violence.
Across the U.S., this event occurred amid a troubling wave of mass shootings. The Michigan assault was the 324th mass shooting recorded in 2025. It also came less than 24 hours after a separate shooting in North Carolina and a third at a casino in Texas.
Church members and neighbors expressed deep shock. One woman, a Sunday school teacher, said she had lost friends and saw children injured. Others described hearing a loud bang before doors exploded inward.
While investigators search for motive and evidence, the community remains in mourning, grappling with the horror of violence in a sacred space.
