Suspect Identity and Background
The suspect in the Grand Blanc Township church shooting has been identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, a 40-year-old man from Burton, Michigan.
Sanford is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq from 2004 to 2008, according to social media posts by his family.
He is married and has a young son; in fact, a 2015 GoFundMe campaign by Sanford and his wife raised funds for their infant son’s medical condition (a rare insulin disorder).
Law enforcement sources indicate Sanford acted alone during the attack, and officials have not yet disclosed whether he had any prior criminal record or if he was known to police before this incident.
Sanford was ultimately killed by police at the scene, ending the rampage.
Timeline of the Attack
During Sunday morning worship on September 28, 2025 (just before 10:30 a.m.), the suspect launched a multi-pronged attack on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located on McCandlish Road in Grand Blanc Township.
Hundreds of congregants were gathered for a regular service when Sanford suddenly rammed his pickup truck through the front entrance of the church, shattering the doors and part of the wall.
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