Thomas Jacob Sanford Identified as Michigan Church Shooting Suspect: What We Know About His Life, Military Past, and the Ongoing Investigation

The Attack at Grand Blanc Township Church

On Sunday, September 28, 2025, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township became the scene of a deadly assault. Police say Thomas Jacob Sanford rammed his pickup truck into the church building, stormed inside with an assault rifle, and opened fire on worshippers. The violence did not end there — the building was also set ablaze, with officials suspecting the use of gasoline or another accelerant.

When officers arrived, they exchanged gunfire with Sanford in the parking lot, where he was ultimately killed. Inside the wreckage, investigators discovered improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Sanford’s vehicle, raising fears the attack could have been even worse.

Confirmed Casualties

The incident left a devastating toll:

Authorities have warned that additional victims may still be found once the fire-damaged building is fully cleared.

Who Was Thomas Jacob Sanford?

Understanding who Thomas Jacob Sanford was is essential to making sense of such a horrific act. His past paints the picture of a man once praised for his service, but whose later years remain more difficult to piece together.

Early Life and Education

Sanford graduated from Goodrich High School in 2003. Local reports from years ago described him as ambitious and determined, especially when it came to serving his country.

Marine Corps Service

From 2004 to 2008, Sanford served in the United States Marine Corps. He worked as an automotive mechanic and vehicle recovery operator and was deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He rose to the rank of sergeant and earned several commendations, including:

• Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal

• Iraq Campaign Medal

• National Defense Service Medal

• Sea Service Deployment Ribbon

For a time, Sanford seemed to embody discipline, resilience, and national pride.

Personal Life

Away from his military career, Sanford was married and a father. His son faced a rare medical condition known as congenital hyperinsulinism, requiring specialized care. Sanford lived in Burton, Michigan, where his voter registration had been active since 2017. Neighbors and local reports also noted that his truck displayed two American flags, a detail that, in hindsight, now seems both patriotic and ominous given the attack.

The Investigation into Motive and Planning

Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and ATF, are leading the investigation. Detectives are examining Sanford’s cellphone, background, and digital footprint to understand what drove him to target a house of worship. So far, no clear motive has been released, and officials continue to caution that it may take time before answers emerge.

The discovery of IEDs in his truck and the use of fire inside the church suggest that the attack was carefully planned, even if the reasoning behind it remains unclear. SWAT teams and bomb squads also searched Sanford’s home in Burton, further indicating that investigators fear he may have prepared for a larger campaign of violence.

Community Reaction and National Response

The Grand Blanc Township community has been left reeling from the attack. Residents described hearing screams and gunfire, while others rushed to help victims. For many, the idea of violence striking in a place of worship feels unthinkable.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer condemned the violence, calling it “unacceptable in any place, but especially in a house of worship.” President Donald Trump also said he had been briefed on the situation, promising federal support to state and local officials.

Community members have begun organizing vigils and support efforts for the victims and their families. Churches across Michigan have also announced tighter security in response to the tragedy.

The Troubling Complexity of Thomas Jacob Sanford

The story of Thomas Jacob Sanford is not simple. He was once a decorated Marine, a husband, and a father dealing with the challenges of his son’s illness. Yet, in the end, he became the perpetrator of a horrific attack that left families grieving and a community scarred.

His case raises painful questions: How does someone with a background of service and sacrifice reach a point of such destruction? Were there signs that were missed, or did he manage to hide his struggles until it was too late?

While the answers may take months or even years to uncover, what is clear now is that this event will remain etched in Michigan’s history. The victims, survivors, and their families deserve support, compassion, and, ultimately, justice.