Additional Coverage:
Grand Blanc, MI – Authorities in Michigan have identified the gunman responsible for a deadly attack at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, which left two people dead and eight wounded.
Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, reportedly an Iraq War veteran, crashed a pickup truck into the church’s front entrance, opened fire on worshippers, and is suspected of deliberately setting the building ablaze. Responding officers fatally shot Sanford in the parking lot shortly after arriving at the scene at 10:45 a.m. EST.
One victim died at the scene, while another succumbed to injuries later at a nearby hospital. Of the eight wounded, seven are listed in stable condition, and one remains in critical condition.
Police Chief William Renye reported a rapid response time of under a few minutes, which enabled officers to quickly confront the assailant. The church was reportedly packed with hundreds of worshippers at the time of the attack, which occurred during a commemorative ceremony for Russell M. Nelson, the late president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Following the initial chaos, two officers pursued Sanford as he exited the church, engaging him in gunfire that resulted in his death, Renye confirmed. Investigators later discovered improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the suspect’s vehicle.
The motive behind the arson and shooting remains unclear, and it is not yet known if Sanford was a member of the Mormon church. Authorities are currently examining the suspect’s residence in nearby Burton as part of their ongoing investigation. Chief Renye noted that additional victims might be discovered once the fire-damaged areas of the church are thoroughly searched.
President Donald Trump received updates on the incident and commended the FBI’s response, stating on social media, “PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!” Local officials confirmed the FBI is deploying 100 agents to assist with the investigation in the Grand Blanc Township, a community of approximately 40,000 residents situated near Flint.