At least 100 federal investigators are currently investigating an attack that occurred in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, where a former Marine deliberately crashed his pickup truck into a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel during a Sunday service. The assailant, identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, also opened fire on the worshippers and subsequently set the building ablaze, resulting in the tragic deaths of four individuals and injuries to eight others.
The harrowing incident took place around 10:25 a.m., while hundreds of congregants were inside the chapel. Sanford, who had decorated his pickup with two U.S. flags, emerged from the vehicle and began firing at the church before igniting a fire with what appeared to be gasoline. Witnesses reported that members of the congregation, some of whom were hospital staff, rushed into the burning building to help others escape as flames engulfed the structure. Emergency services responded within 30 seconds of the 911 call, and officers engaged Sanford approximately eight minutes later, ultimately shooting and killing him.
Eight people, aged between 6 and 78, sustained gunshot wounds but are expected to recover, while two others were treated for smoke inhalation. The aftermath left the church in ruins, with fire and smoke visible for hours following the attack, and photos revealing the extent of the destruction.
Sanford had a military background, having served in the Marines from 2004 to 2008, including a deployment in Iraq focusing on vehicle operations. Although the motives behind his violent actions remain unclear, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned in an interview that preliminary investigations suggested he harbored animosity towards the Mormon faith. Authorities are examining whether Sanford had planned the attack and the potential existence of any motivating factors or clues at his residence.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which serves nearly 47,000 members in Michigan, described the damaged chapel as a place of worship actively hosting services at the time of the attack. This incident adds to the growing concern over targeted violence against houses of worship in the U.S., a troubling trend evidenced by multiple mass shootings over the past two decades, including a recent incident in Minneapolis where two children were killed during a church service.
In the wake of the Grand Blanc Township attack, the FBI, considering it an act of targeted violence, has taken the lead in the ongoing investigation. Local authorities confirmed the deployment of 100 agents to the scene, as the community of approximately 40,000 begins to process the heinous act that shattered its sense of safety during a time of worship.
Cleanup crews wearing protective gear have commenced searching the debris of the church, which is located about 60 miles northwest of Detroit and south of Flint. The investigation is actively seeking insights into Sanford's background, including any affiliations with the church he attacked, as searches of his home continue.
