By Harshit | September 28, 2025 | Grand Blanc, Michigan | 2:36 AM EDT
At least four people were killed and eight others injured after a gunman rammed a vehicle into a Michigan church, opened fire on worshippers, and set the building ablaze during Sunday services. Authorities are treating the incident as an “act of targeted violence” but said the motive remains unclear.
Attack During Worship
The violence unfolded at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, a town roughly 60 miles northwest of Detroit. Hundreds of congregants had gathered for the late-morning service when the suspect — identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, of Burton, Michigan — drove his vehicle into the building at approximately 10:25 AM local time (15:25 GMT).
Police said Sanford then fired several rounds from an assault-style rifle at churchgoers, sparking panic inside the sanctuary. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as families scrambled to shelter children and escape the smoke and gunfire.
Gunman Neutralized
Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said officers responded within minutes, engaging the suspect in gunfire in the church parking lot. Sanford was killed at 10:33 AM, just eight minutes after the attack began.
“This was a swift and decisive response,” Renye said. “Officers engaged the suspect and neutralized him before more lives were lost.”
The church itself sustained extensive fire damage, believed to have been started with an accelerant — most likely gasoline — brought by the suspect. Investigators are still working to determine exactly how the blaze was ignited.
Casualties and Missing Persons
Police confirmed that two of the victims died from gunshot wounds. Two additional bodies were later discovered amid the burned portions of the church. At least eight people were treated for injuries, with several in critical condition.
Chief Renye added that “some” individuals remain unaccounted for, and search teams are continuing to clear the charred building.
He also praised congregants for their bravery. “There was heroism in the way churchgoers sheltered children and helped each other during the chaos,” he said.
Federal Investigation
The FBI has taken the lead in the investigation. Acting Detroit field office chief Reuben Coleman confirmed that crisis response teams, bomb technicians, and digital investigators have been deployed.
Authorities are combing through Sanford’s cell-phone records and personal property. Records show he was a Marine Corps veteran, though officials have not yet suggested any link between his service and Sunday’s attack.
Michigan State Police also responded to multiple bomb threats at other locations following the incident, but all were cleared without further incident.
Political and Religious Reactions
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement confirming the attack during services and expressing solidarity with victims. “We pray for peace and healing for all involved,” the church said.
President Donald Trump, writing on Truth Social, described the event as “yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America,” pledging federal support for the investigation.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi called the shooting “horrific,” writing on X: “Such violence at a place of worship is heartbreaking and chilling. Please join me in praying for the victims of this terrible tragedy.”
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer condemned the violence, saying, “Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable. We are monitoring the situation closely.”
Former US Senator and Mormon leader Mitt Romney also reacted, describing the attack as a “tragedy” and offering prayers for healing. “My brothers and sisters and their church are targets of violence,” Romney said.
A Pattern of Violence
Sunday’s attack is the latest in a troubling string of mass shootings and assaults targeting places of worship across the United States. In recent years, synagogues, Black churches, and mosques have all been sites of deadly violence.
For the Grand Blanc community, the incident has left behind shock, grief, and questions about how a quiet Sunday service turned into one of Michigan’s deadliest acts of violence in recent memory.
As investigators continue to search for answers, the focus remains on the victims, the wounded, and the families whose lives were shattered in a matter of minutes.
