A devastating attack at a church in Grand Blanc, Michigan, has resulted in at least four people killed and eight injured, after a suspect, identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, rammed his vehicle into the building, opened fire, and set the structure ablaze.
The 40-year-old suspect, who was a former US Marine, attempted to flee the scene but was shot and killed by responding police officers.
Details of the Assault and Investigation
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, saw Sanford crash his car into the Grand Blanc Church (identified by other sources as a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) before exiting the vehicle and beginning to shoot at congregants with an assault rifle. Authorities also confirmed that Sanford deliberately set the building on fire using an accelerant, believed to be gasoline.
Motive Remains Unknown:
Michigan State Police released a statement during a news conference on Sunday night confirming that theories regarding Sanford’s motivations are “exactly what it is—a speculation,” and that authorities will not reach any conclusions for “some time.” The FBI has taken over the investigation and is currently treating the incident as an “act of targeted violence.” Investigators are currently searching Sanford’s residence and examining his phone and digital records.
The attack comes amid a troubling increase in violence targeting religious groups in the US, following other recent high-profile events.
The Suspect: An Iraq War Veteran
Thomas Jacob Sanford was a resident of Burton, Michigan, and a decorated veteran of the Iraq War.
- Military Service: Sanford served in the Marines from 2004 to 2008, achieving the rank of sergeant, and was deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2007 to 2008. He was an automotive mechanic and vehicle recovery operator and received several awards for his service.
- Personal Life: Social media images suggest Sanford was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. Reports indicate he had a son born with a rare genetic disorder, a situation Sanford himself once described as the “most unique thing to deal with” even after serving in Iraq.
- Political Speculation: Sanford is registered to vote but is not listed as belonging to any political party. However, his wife and parents frequently posted pro-Trump content on social media, and a “Trump 2020” T-shirt reading “Make Liberals Cry Again” was visible in a 2019 social media photo of Sanford. A pro-Trump sign was also visible outside the family’s home in a recent Google Maps image. Authorities have explicitly stated that this conjecture does not provide any evidence of the motivation behind the shooting.