GRAND BLANC, Mich. — A quiet Sunday morning of worship turned into chaos and heartbreak when a gunman crashed his truck into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, before opening fire on the congregation and setting the building ablaze. Authorities confirmed that at least four people were killed and eight others injured in what federal investigators are calling an “act of targeted violence.”
The attack began at approximately 10:25 a.m., when congregants had gathered for Sunday services. According to Michigan State Police, the suspect, identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford of Burton, Michigan, deliberately drove his vehicle through the church’s main entrance. He then exited the truck armed with firearms and began shooting indiscriminately into the crowd. Panic erupted inside the chapel as hundreds scrambled for cover.
Police say one victim was pronounced dead at the scene, another succumbed to injuries at a local hospital, and two additional victims died after being trapped in the fire that consumed the building. Of the eight injured, seven are reported to be in stable condition while one remains in critical care.
Following the shooting, Sanford doused parts of the church with gasoline and ignited the fire, which spread rapidly throughout the structure. Fire officials said the blaze escalated into a five-alarm inferno that led to a partial collapse of the building. James Deir, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Detroit Field Division, confirmed that accelerants had been used to maximize destruction. By late evening, officials declared the church a “total loss.”
Sanford was killed during a gunfight with responding officers. Authorities have not confirmed whether he had any personal ties to the church, and investigators are urgently working to determine his motive. Law enforcement sources told reporters that they are probing possible links between the attack and recent threats against religious institutions, as well as whether the incident was connected to the death of Russell M. Nelson, the 101-year-old president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who passed away on Saturday in Salt Lake City.
The FBI has assumed control of the investigation, deploying more than 100 agents to Grand Blanc to assist local police and ATF officials. “Violence in a place of worship is a cowardly and criminal act,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement. “Our prayers are with the victims and their families during this terrible tragedy.”
Authorities also reported a wave of bomb threats at other churches in the area following the attack, though none have been confirmed as credible. The threats added to the atmosphere of fear and urgency as police worked to secure the broader community.
Federal and state leaders quickly responded with messages of solidarity and grief. President Donald Trump addressed the nation via social media, writing: “This appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America. PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!” Vice President JD Vance echoed the sentiment, calling the incident “an awful situation” and praising first responders for their swift action.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer described the tragedy as “unacceptable” in her official statement: “Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable. My heart is breaking for the Grand Blanc community. I am grateful to the first responders who acted quickly and bravely.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi also weighed in, saying she had been briefed and was coordinating with federal agencies. “Such violence at a place of worship is heartbreaking and chilling. Please join me in praying for the victims of this terrible tragedy,” she wrote.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement through spokesperson Doug Anderson, confirming the attack during worship services and expressing gratitude for the outpouring of prayers worldwide. “Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer, and connection,” the statement read. “We pray for peace and healing for all involved.”
Experts have warned for years that houses of worship across different faiths have become increasing targets for acts of violence. Michael Masters, who oversees national security efforts for Jewish schools and synagogues, told ABC News that this tragedy highlights a broader national issue. “Attacks against religious institutions are attacks against our democracy as a whole. Offenders today are not distinguishing between faiths—Jewish, Sikh, Catholic, or Christian communities are all being targeted.”
For the residents of Grand Blanc, the loss is both physical and spiritual. The church, once a gathering place for hundreds, now lies in ruins. Families are mourning loved ones while others keep vigil in local hospitals, praying for recovery. The sound of sirens and the sight of smoke have been replaced by the heavy quiet of grief, as investigators sift through debris for answers.
What began as an ordinary Sunday has ended as one of the darkest days this community has faced. And while authorities work to uncover Sanford’s motives and prevent further attacks, the people of Grand Blanc are left grappling with the painful reality that their sanctuary was shattered in moments.
This tragedy underscores the vulnerability of religious spaces and the urgent need for stronger protections against targeted acts of violence. For now, the focus remains on supporting victims and families, rebuilding a community torn apart, and finding answers to how such devastation could unfold inside a place meant to be safe.
