Authorities identified Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, as the suspect who killed at least four people and wounded others during Sunday services at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan.
Police said Sanford allegedly rammed a Chevy Silverado through the front entrance before opening fire on hundreds of worshipers. Investigators said he then used an accelerant to ignite a blaze that ultimately gutted the structure.
Officers shot and killed Sanford after confronting him inside the burning building.
Officials described a fast-moving scene that began around 10:30 a.m. Witnesses reported chaos as parishioners fled smoke and gunfire while fire alarms blared.
The initial fatality count grew over the course of the day as search teams worked through the debris, first confirming one death, then a second at a hospital, and later locating two additional bodies after firefighters knocked back the flames. Police said the search for potential additional victims would continue once the site was safe for recovery crews.
What investigators say happened
Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye told reporters that the attacker drove the pickup through the main doors, exited the vehicle and fired several rounds at people inside the sanctuary area.
Ten gunshot victims were transported to local hospitals, including one person who later died. Renye said two responding officers engaged the suspect and returned fire, killing him. The weapon recovered appeared to be a rifle, according to the chief, though a full ballistics analysis is still pending.
Fire investigators said they believe an accelerant, likely gasoline, was used to start the blaze. The building’s heavy damage complicated efforts to secure the scene and collect evidence. Authorities requested patience from families as they conducted a slow, methodical search through collapsed sections of the church and adjacent hallways.
Suspect background and military record
The Marine Corps confirmed that Sanford served from 2004 to 2008 as an organizational automotive mechanic and vehicle recovery operator.
He deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and left the service with the rank of sergeant. According to the Corps, his awards included the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
His last duty station was with the 2d Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2d Marine Logistics Group at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Local outlets reported that Sanford lived in nearby Burton, Michigan, and had a wife and son. A 2015 online fundraiser collected more than $3,000 for the family after their child was diagnosed with congenital hyperinsulinism, a rare condition that causes the pancreas to release excessive insulin.
Investigators did not speculate on motive and said they were examining personal history, digital devices and recent purchases while awaiting final autopsy and toxicology results.
Timeline of the attack and response
Police said the first 911 calls came just after 10:30 a.m., moments after the truck breached the front entrance. Patrol officers and fire crews arrived within minutes.
As parishioners evacuated, two officers moved toward the interior and encountered the shooter. A brief exchange of gunfire followed. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
Firefighters battled the blaze while medics triaged gunshot victims and those suffering from smoke inhalation. Emergency medical services distributed patients across multiple hospitals to avoid overloading any single facility. Authorities later warned that the casualty figures could change as hospitals updated conditions and as crews gained access to collapsed areas that remained too dangerous to enter for hours.
The church and community
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints maintains a number of congregations in Genesee County, drawing families from Grand Blanc, Burton and surrounding communities. Sunday’s attack came one day after the passing of longtime church president Russell M. Nelson, who died at 101.
Local church leaders asked for prayers and privacy for the families affected and said they would cooperate fully with investigators. Volunteers organized blood donations and offered temporary housing and counseling support for those displaced by the fire.
Neighbors described the building as a community hub that hosted youth activities, food drives and family events. Several residents said they heard a thunderous crash followed by a rapid series of shots, then saw smoke pushing from the eaves. One family living across the street rushed out to direct traffic away as first responders arrived.
