A church in Grand Blanc Township was attacked on Sunday morning when an armed man drove a pickup truck into the chapel during services and opened fire with an assault rifle. The incident left at least five people dead and eight injured. The suspect, identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, a 40-year-old ex-U.S. Marine from Burton, was killed by police after a brief shootout.
The chapel, which is affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was also set on fire. Authorities believe it was deliberately set by the suspect and that multiple victims are in critical condition. The FBI is leading the investigation, calling it “an act of targeted violence.”
Police say two trained officers neutralized the shooter at 10:33 a.m., just minutes after the attack began. The church’s community has rallied around the victims’ families, with many expressing shock and sadness on social media.
This incident marks at least the second shooting at a church in Michigan since June. Local authorities are working to support the affected families and provide updates as the investigation continues.
Source: https://eu.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2025/09/28/grand-blanc-church-shooting/86405914007