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FIVE (5) Dead As Ex-U.S. Marine Crashes Into Michigan Church, Opens Fire On Congregation, Sets Building Ablaze

An armed 40-year-old man is said to have rammed a Chevy Silverado pickup truck into a Grand Blanc Township Church in Michigan during services this morning (Sunday 28th September, 2025), then opened fire on hundreds of people gathered inside. He then set the Church ablaze, which was completely destroyed. 

In the aftermath of the chaos and bloodshed, at least five (5) people are dead, including the shooter, and eight (8) others hospitalized — multiple victims are in critical condition. At least four (4) people who were attending services inside the chapel have died. Two (2) of the deceased are believed to have been trapped inside the Church and perished in the flames. 

The injured victims were conveyed to the Henry Ford Genesys Hospital for emergency medical treatment. Reports state that several people are still unaccounted for, raising the possibility of a rising death toll.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ chapel was set ablaze around 10:25 AM, said Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye, before the suspect was shot and killed minutes later by authorities. The suspect has been identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, an ex-U.S. Marine from nearby Burton, Michigan, who served four (4) years in Iraq.

Sanford was deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He earned several awards during his service, including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.


President Donald Trump released the following statement this afternoon about the tragic incident: “I have been briefed on the horrendous shooting that took place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Grand Blanc, Michigan. The FBI was immediately on scene, and will be leading the Federal Investigation, and providing full support to State and Local Officials. The suspect is dead, but there is still a lot to learn. This appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America. The Trump Administration will keep the Public posted, as we always do. In the meantime, PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!”

Sanford, the shooter, was killed by two (2) trained Officers — one from the Township Police Department and one from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources — at 10:33 AM, just minutes after the attack began in the parking lot of the Church.

According to Police Chief Renye, “They met the suspect and engaged in gunfire with that particular individual, neutralizing that suspect, and that suspect is no longer with us.”

It was unclear as of Sunday afternoon what connection, if any, Sanford had to the Church. Questions also remain about how the massive fire started — did the suspect douse the building with an accelerant, likely gasoline, before igniting it? There are also reports that three (3) Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were located at the scene.

“We believe it was deliberately set, though, by the suspect,” Police Chief Renye said.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement on X that her office is monitoring the situation. “My heart is breaking for the Grand Blanc community,” Whitmer wrote. “Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable. I am grateful to the first responders who took action quickly. We will continue to monitor the situation and hold the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc close.”

Investigations are continuing. 

More on this as it becomes available.

This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.

[Source: Detroit Free Press] 

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