At Least Four Killed, Several Injured in Shooting and Fire at Michigan Mormon Church

At least four people were killed and eight others wounded Sunday morning after a gunman attacked a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) meetinghouse in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, authorities confirmed.

The assault unfolded at approximately 10:25 a.m. during a Sunday service, when the assailant drove a pickup truck through the church’s front entrance, exited the vehicle, opened fire on congregants, and set the building ablaze, according to Police Chief William Renye. Fire officials later confirmed the blaze was exacerbated by gasoline believed to have been used intentionally by the attacker.

Within minutes of the initial emergency calls, law enforcement officers engaged the suspect in a shootout in the church parking lot. The gunman was fatally shot about eight minutes after the attack began. Authorities later discovered the bodies of additional victims in the charred remains of the church as teams searched for more.

Investigators have identified the suspect as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, a former U.S. Marine and Iraq War veteran who lived nearby in Burton, Michigan. Authorities said no motive has yet been confirmed. The FBI is leading the investigation and is treating the incident as a case of targeted violence.

Of the eight wounded, one remains in critical condition while the others are reported to be stable. Officials warned that the death toll could rise as remaining portions of the church structure are combed for victims.

In the wake of the attack, bomb threats were made against other churches in the region, though none yielded confirmed explosives.

The tragedy drew swift condemnation from political and religious leaders. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said her “heart is breaking” for the community and called violence in places of worship “unacceptable.” President Donald Trump described the shooting as “yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States” and urged an end to what he called an “epidemic of violence.”

As the investigation continues, the Grand Blanc shooting underscores growing concerns about security at houses of worship and the persistent threat of mass violence in public spaces.