Suspect in Shooting and Fire at Michigan LDS Church Identified as War Veteran Thomas Jacob Sanford – What We’ve Learned

“It’s really sad,” the neighbor of the alleged shooter stated. “He might have just snapped.”

The unimaginable occurred on September 28, 2025, while the members of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, were gathered in prayer.

In what authorities claim was a “deliberately” carried out attack, a shooter unexpectedly entered the hallowed area, opened fire, and set the building on fire.

Shortly after the nightmare started, police shot and killed the suspect, who is now known to be 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, a former U.S. Marine from neighboring Burton. Authorities verified that numerous persons were still missing, some were hurt, and some had died.

A Church Service Devolves Into Anarchy
During the service, Thomas crashed through the front doors of the church while driving a four-door pickup truck and flying two American flags, according to the police. Shortly after, he got out of the car and started shooting at the frightened throng.

William Renye, the chief of police in Grand Blanc Township, said that hundreds of people were inside the building when the gunfire began. Within 30 seconds of the 911 call, officers arrived on the scene.

Eight minutes later, the guy was shot dead by two officers who confronted him outside the church. However, it was too late because the chapel was already on fire. As firemen fought the fire for hours, heavy black smoke and flames billowed.

When suspicious devices were discovered, ATF confirmed that gasoline was used.
Later, the use of gasoline as an accelerant was confirmed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “I will confirm that there were some suspected explosive devices that were located,” ATF Detroit Field Division Special Agent in Charge James Deir added.

“But as far as using them to initiate the blaze, we can’t say that,” he continued. Although authorities have not yet disclosed a motive, the presence of these devices further increased suspicions that the slaughter had been carefully planned.

An Increasing Death Toll and More Unaccounted for
Four people had been reported dead by Sunday evening. Seven of the injured were listed as stable, and one was still in serious condition. Amidst the burned remains of the church, two bodies were discovered. However, it can take days to determine the actual number of victims.

Chief William warned earlier in the day that once personnel could safely sort through the rubble, more victims would probably be discovered. “We do know that there are some unaccounted for,” he subsequently stated to reporters.

Because of the low visibility and potential safety hazards, that search was stopped around dusk. According to a law enforcement source who spoke to CNN, up to seven persons were still unaccounted for, however some might not have gotten in touch with their loved ones yet.

Thomas Jacob Sanford: Who Was He?
Between June 2004 and June 2008, Thomas served in the U.S. Marine Corps, eventually becoming a sergeant. He was sent to Iraq from August 2007 to March 2008 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was a vehicle recovery operator and an organizational automotive mechanic.

It’s unclear if he was associated with the LDS Church. His personal past and potential motivations are being extensively investigated by authorities. Investigators are searching the Burton property for hints, and the street leading to his house has been blocked off.

The Pain of a Child and a Stressed-Out Family
A medical catastrophe concerning Thomas’s newborn son overshadowed his life in 2015. His kid, Brantlee Sanford, was diagnosed with congenital hyperinsulinism, a rare and hazardous condition that causes extremely high insulin levels and serious brain problems, according to local news.

At Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Brantlee was born six weeks early and needed a feeding tube, a ventilator, and round-the-clock care.

At the moment, Brantlee’s aunt, Katie Hamilton, remarked, “Watching this is really difficult.” “I’ve never hugged him, but I get to see photos and videos. It’s insane. In order to care for his son, Thomas, who was later named by the local media as Jake Sanford, took a family medical leave of absence from his Coca-Cola position.

Tella Campbell, his fiancée, was a stay-at-home mom. Later, the family visited Cook Children’s Medical Center in Texas, which is one of just two hospitals in the United States that specializes in the illness.

There, Brantlee received care from Dr. Thornton at the hospital’s Endocrine Diabetes Program and Congenital Hyperinsulinism Center. The experience has a financial cost. To endure the overwhelming weight, the family mostly relied on family and community assistance.

A Post in Crypto from the Mother of the Gunman
Brenda Walters-Sanford, Thomas’s mother, had a now-deleted social media message on her Facebook page just hours before the horrific incident. The post boldly stated, “Life isn’t a FREE RIDE!!” but made no mention of Thomas. No matter what JOB you have!!!”

The remainder of the communication seemed to be a long repost about reforms that were being considered for government accountability and congressional benefits. The post was notable for its timing, even though its main content was political: it was made public on the day her son would carry out a terrible church attack.

Shocked Neighbors

The news was met with shock and bewilderment by the astonished residents of Thomas’s tranquil Burton neighborhood. Nearby war veteran Randy Thronson, 71, reported that he seldom ever saw police in the neighborhood.

He remembered that Thomas, who lived with his wife, at least one child, and perhaps his mother, was a good neighbor. “It’s really sad,” the neighbor of the alleged shooter stated. “He might have just snapped.”

Mike Pate, 44, another neighbor, shared the incredulity. “[It’s] surreal, having stuff happen this close to us,” Mike said. “When you see stuff on the news, it seems so far away.”

Unresolved Issues and a Community in Sorrow
Investigators continue their laborious work, inspecting Thomas’s house, examining the evidence, and going through the debris as the burned church is still roped off.

No motive has been established yet. There is no written statement, manifesto, or official justification for the unimaginable acts of violence committed by a father who was a military hero.

Families are left to cling to hope—or drown in grief—as well as a devastated neighborhood and a sanctuary turned to smoking ruins.

Answers are still being sought as daylight breaks. However, there are already significant wounds in Grand Blanc Township, some of which might never fully heal.