News Summary
A shooting at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, left four dead and eight injured on September 28. The suspect, Thomas Jacob Sanford, was killed by police shortly after the attack began. Eyewitness accounts detail chaos as a young usher witnessed the gunfire, and medical residents present helped the injured. Amidst community support and a fundraising campaign for the suspect’s family, authorities are investigating Sanford’s motives, which appear to be rooted in hostility towards the church. This incident has raised urgent discussions about safety in places of worship.
Grand Blanc Township, Michigan experienced a devastating attack on Sunday, September 28, when a shooting and fire led to the deaths of four churchgoers at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The suspect, identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, a 40-year-old ex-Marine, was shot dead by police at the scene, just minutes after he opened fire inside the church.
The tragic series of events began around 10:25 a.m. when Jasper, a 14-year-old freshman, who was designated as an usher for the church service, heard a loud crash while stepping outside to blow his nose. Initially believing it to be a falling object, Jasper soon witnessed a gunman—Sanford—begin firing inside the church, causing panic among the congregation.
Alongside the fatalities, eight people sustained injuries in the attack, with victims’ ages ranging from just 6 to 78 years old. Among the deceased were Craig Hayden, a 77-year-old church member who died while attempting to assist others, and Greg Mikat, who was shot three times after confronting Sanford.
Following the gunfire, Sanford further escalated the situation by igniting the church. The ensuing chaos prompted a swift response from local law enforcement, who received their first 911 call at 10:25 a.m., arriving on the scene mere minutes later. Sanford was killed by police less than ten minutes after their arrival, marking a swift conclusion to the violence.
Amidst the turmoil, medical residents who were attending the service acted heroically, assisting injured individuals and navigating through the burning building to rescue victims. Jasper and his family, including his mother Michelle and siblings, utilized his strength to escape danger; Jasper even smashed through a glass door to help free his trapped brothers.
After fleeing the church, Jasper and his mother sheltered from gunfire behind a van as the sounds of chaos ensued. Community efforts quickly formed around the incident, with local hospital staff and striking nurses mobilizing to support the emergency response as patients began arriving in chaotic circumstances.
In the aftermath, community members regrouped at the nearby NGC Cinema for reunification and triage of survivors. During this time, an online fundraising campaign for Sanford’s family raised over $300,000, initiated by a supporter willing to assist Sanford’s widow and son, who is living with serious health issues.
Authorities are currently investigating the motives behind Sanford’s actions. Reports indicate that he had expressed a longstanding animosity toward the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, reportedly calling them “antichrist.” The FBI is also treating this incident as a targeted act of violence, with investigators probing deeper into Sanford’s background and intentions.
This horrific assault marks the 13th mass shooting in Michigan for the year, igniting conversations at both community and national levels regarding safety and violence in places of worship. As investigations continue, the effects of this tragedy within Grand Blanc Township and beyond will be felt for years to come as individuals and families mourn the lives lost and the scars left by such senseless violence.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- CNN: What We Know About Michigan Church Shooting
- Wikipedia: Church Shooting
- NBC News: Thomas Jacob Sanford, Suspect in Michigan Church Shooting
- Google Search: Grand Blanc Church Shooting
- Detroit Free Press: Grand Blanc Shooting Heroes Named
- Google Scholar: Mass Shooting in Michigan
- The Guardian: Mormon Church Shooting
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mormon Church
- Fox2Detroit: Grand Blanc Church Attack Raises Over $300K
- Google News: Michigan Church Shooting