Suspect in Shooting and Fire at Michigan LDS Church Identified as War Veteran Thomas Jacob Sanford – What We've Learned

A peaceful Sunday morning was shattered in seconds as gunfire rang out and flames erupted at a Michigan church. Now, authorities have identified the man behind the massacre — a war veteran with a tragic past.

On September 28, 2025, the congregation of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, was gathered in prayer when the unthinkable happened.

Without warning, a gunman stormed the sacred space, opening fire and setting the building ablaze in what police are saying was an attack that was "deliberately" carried out.

The suspect, now identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, a former U.S. Marine from nearby Burton, was fatally shot by police just minutes after the horror began. Authorities confirmed that people were killed, some were injured, and several were still unaccounted for.

A Church Service Turns to Chaos

Police said Thomas arrived in a four-door pickup truck, flying two American flags, and rammed straight through the church's front doors during the service. Moments later, he exited the vehicle and began firing into the terrified crowd.

According to Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye, hundreds of people were inside the building when shots rang out. Officers were on the scene within 30 seconds of the 911 call.

Just eight minutes later, two officers confronted the suspected gunman outside the church and fatally shot him. But by then, it was too late — the chapel was engulfed in flames. Flames and thick black smoke billowed for hours as firefighters battled the blaze.

ATF Confirmed Gasoline Was Used as Suspicious Devices Were Found

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) later confirmed that gasoline was used as an accelerant. "I will confirm that there were some suspected explosive devices that were located," James Deir, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Detroit Field Division, further revealed.

"But as far as using them to initiate the blaze, we can't say that," he added. The discovery of these devices only deepened fears that the massacre had been meticulously premeditated — though officials have yet to announce any motive.

A Growing Death Toll and More Still Missing

By Sunday night, the confirmed death toll had reached four. One of the injured remained in critical condition, while seven others were listed as stable. Two bodies were found amid the charred ruins of the church. But the true number of victims may not be known for days.

Earlier in the day, Chief William cautioned that more victims would likely be uncovered once crews could safely sift through the debris. "We do know that there are some unaccounted for," he later told reporters.

That search was halted at nightfall due to poor visibility and safety risks. A law enforcement source told CNN that as many as seven people were still missing — though some may simply not have contacted loved ones yet.

Who Was Thomas Jacob Sanford?

Thomas served in the U.S. Marine Corps from June 2004 to June 2008, rising to the rank of sergeant. He specialized as an organizational automotive mechanic and as a vehicle recovery operator, and was deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom from August 2007 to March 2008.

Whether he had any connection to the LDS Church remains unclear. Authorities are actively investigating his personal history and possible motives. The street leading to his home in Burton has been cordoned off, with investigators scouring the property for clues.

A Child's Suffering and a Family Under Pressure

In 2015, Thomas's life was consumed by a medical crisis involving his newborn son. Local news reported that his son, Brantlee Sanford, was diagnosed with congenital hyperinsulinism, a rare and dangerous disorder causing sky-high insulin levels and severe brain complications.

Brantlee, born six weeks premature at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, relied on a feeding tube, ventilator, and constant monitoring.

"It's so tough watching this," said Brantlee's aunt, Katie Hamilton, at the time. "I get to see pictures and video, but I've never held him. It's crazy." Thomas — then identified by local media as Jake Sanford — took family medical leave from his job at Coca-Cola to care for his son.

His fiancée, Tella Campbell, was a stay-at-home mother. The family later traveled to Cook Children's Medical Center in Texas, one of only two facilities in the U.S. specializing in the condition.

There, Brantlee was treated under Dr. Thornton at the hospital's Congenital Hyperinsulinism Center and Endocrine Diabetes Program. The ordeal took a financial toll. The family relied heavily on community and family support to survive the crushing burden.

A Cryptic Post from the Gunman's Mother

Just hours before the deadly attack, a now-deleted social media post appeared on the Facebook page of Thomas's mother, Brenda Walters-Sanford. The post, which did not mention Thomas, featured the bold statement, "Life isn't a FREE RIDE!! No matter what JOB you have!!!"

The rest of the message appeared to be a lengthy repost regarding proposed changes to congressional benefits and government accountability. Though primarily political in content, the post stood out for its timing — shared publicly the same day her son would carry out a deadly church attack.

Neighbors in Shock

In Thomas's quiet Burton neighborhood, stunned residents reacted to the news with grief and disbelief. Randy Thronson, 71, a military vet who lives nearby, said he rarely saw police in the area.

Thomas, he recalled, was a good neighbor who lived with his wife, at least one child, and possibly his mother. "It's really sad," the suspected gunman's neighbor said. "He might have just snapped."

Another neighbor, 44-year-old Mike Pate, echoed the disbelief. "[It's] surreal, having stuff happen this close to us," Mike shared. "When you see stuff on the news, it seems so far away."

Unanswered Questions and a Community in Mourning

As the charred church remains cordoned off, investigators continue their painstaking work — combing through rubble, analyzing evidence, and searching Thomas's home.

Still, no motive has been confirmed. There's no manifesto, no written message, no official explanation for what drove a war hero turned father to commit such unspeakable violence.

What's left behind is a devastated community, a sanctuary reduced to smoldering ruins, and families clinging to hope — or drowning in sorrow.

As dawn broke, the search for answers continued. But in Grand Blanc Township, wounds have already been carved deep — and some may never heal.