In a mass shooting at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ chapel in Grand Blanc, Michigan, at least four people were killed and eight others were hurt.
The suspect, 40, was Thomas Jacob Sanford, who police claimed intentionally set the church on fire and spewed smoke out of the structure. In addition, Stanford was fatally shot while he was firing at law enforcement personnel.
What information is necessary here:
When and what happened?
Police received a call on Sunday morning at 10:25 am (14:25 GMT) about an armed man’s vehicle entering a church building.
At a press conference, Grand Blanc Township police chief William Renye stated that the attacker then opened fire with an assault rifle and “fired several rounds at people inside the church.” He added that the suspect is also alleged to have started a massive fire that quickly grew.
Just eight minutes after the shooting started, officers immediately responded and shot the suspect, who was ultimately killed, in the church parking lot at 10:33 am (14:33 GMT).
When the building caught fire, congregations were inside and attending services. According to officials, the chapel partially collapsed as a result of the fire.
According to Renye, “We are still trying to figure out exactly when, where, and how the fire started.” However, “we do think the suspect intentionally set it.”
Police believe the burned-out building may still have victims. The FBI is now taking charge of an investigation that it calls “an act of targeted violence.”
During the police investigation, three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were discovered inside the suspect’s car, according to local media reports.
Where in Michigan was the shooting reported?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ meetinghouse was in Grand Blanc, a township located 60 miles (100 kilometers) northwest of Detroit, where the attack occurred. There are about 7,700 people in Grand Blanc.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or “the Mormon church,” teaches Joseph Smith, a religious leader from the United States, along with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Members put a lot of emphasis on family and traditional values, study the Bible and the Book of Mormon, and revere the church president as a living prophet.
Its teachings oppose same-sex unions, alcohol use, and abortion.
The attack occurred in Russell M. Nelson’s home just one day after his death, according to the president of the church.
Thomas Jacob Sanford, who was he?
Former US Marine from Burton, Michigan, who served in the military from 2004 to 2008, including a deployment to al-Fallujah, Iraq, during US occupation of the Middle Eastern nation, was the suspect.
Before the deployment in 2007, Jacob’s father, Thomas Sanford, stated in a local media outlet, “He’s a homegrown kid who misses his family when he’s gone.” When his service is over, Jake intends to return to this community. The report, which read “We are very proud of him,” continued with “We are very proud of him.”
He was promoted to sergeant in the Marines three months after returning to the US in March 2008.
Sanford, a graduate of Goodrich High School, moved into the trucking industry in 2016 and moved to Burton to live there.
His son Brantlee was a result of a rare medical condition known as hyperinsulinism, in which the pancreas produces too much insulin. He was also a father.
In a 2016 interview, Sanford recalled how they discovered that Brantlee was having issues shortly after his birth. For us, it was a nightmare.
Sanford was also known for his passion for hunting and fishing, with photos that show him posing alongside deer and displaying his catches from ice-fishing trips.
What are the victims’ details known to us?
Police have confirmed that the attack left eight people injured and at least four fatalities so far. Some of them were in critical condition.
Authorities say the partially collapsed chapel’s debris may still be the site of more victims.
According to a statement from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Places of worship are intended to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer, and connection.” We ask that all parties involved find peace and healing.
What are the current information on US shootings?
According to the Gun Violence Archive, the Michigan attack was the 324th mass shooting in the US to date in 2025.
At least two people were killed and several were hurt in Eagle Pass, Texas, which was also the third mass shooting to occur in one day, coming after one in Southport, North Carolina, and two in Southport, North Carolina.
In a strange coincidence, the suspect in the North Carolina shooting was a 40-year-old Marine veteran who had served in Iraq, similar to the shooting in Michigan. Three people were killed and five others were hurt in that attack, which took place less than 14 hours prior to the rampage in Michigan.
Police in Southport claim Nigel Max Edge fired shots from a boat into a waterfront bar on Saturday night. He is currently facing charges, including five counts of attempted murder and three counts of first-degree murder.
Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, the shooter at Michigan Church
Shooter at a Texas casino: 34-year-old Keryan Jones
Nigel Max Edge, 39, Carolina Riverfront shooterBoth Sanford and Edge, both Iraq Marine veterans, used assault weapons per LEO.
Source: Aljazeera
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