A church in Michigan was attacked on Sunday, leaving eight people injured. The gunman, Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, died after police exchanged gunfire with him. Officials say Sanford had strong opinions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he referred to it as the “anti-Christ” during a conversation with a local political candidate.
According to eyewitnesses, worshipers at the church helped drag their fellow congregants to safety, demonstrating heroic actions in the face of danger. The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of targeted violence, but officials have yet to release a motive for the attack.
The church’s victims range in age from 6 to 78 and include five people who were treated for gunshot wounds and three for smoke inhalation. At least two are in critical condition.
Sanford served in the U.S. Marine Corps before moving to Utah, where he began dating a woman with ties to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, his experiences and opinions on the church have been a point of conflict throughout his life.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/09/29/michigan-church-shooting