An investigation is ongoing into the tragic mass shooting and arson attack that occurred at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan.
While this event took place in September 2025, it remains a major point of local public safety discussion and judicial review as of May 2026.
Incident Summary
The Attack: On Sunday morning, September 28, 2025, a 40-year-old man identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford rammed his GMC Sierra pickup truck into the front of the church during services.
The Violence: After crashing into the building, Sanford exited the vehicle and opened fire on the congregation with an AK-47-style rifle. He also used gasoline to set the building ablaze, which ultimately destroyed the majority of the structure.
Casualties: Four church members were killed—two by gunfire and two who died in the resulting fire. Eight others were injured, with victims’ ages ranging from 6 to 78 years old.
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Police Response: Grand Blanc Township police and a Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officer arrived on the scene within minutes. Sanford was fatally shot by law enforcement in the parking lot after refusing to drop his weapon.
Current Status (May 2026)
FBI Investigation: The FBI’s Michigan office continues to classify the attack as an “act of targeted violence.” Investigations into Sanford’s background revealed a history of expressed hatred toward the LDS faith.
Officer Review: The two officers involved in the fatal shooting were placed on administrative leave following the incident; bodycam footage released by the department confirmed they issued multiple commands for Sanford to drop his weapon before using lethal force.
Community Recovery: The Grand Blanc Stake Center, which housed seven different congregations, was considered a total loss. The local community and church leadership have been working through the rebuilding process and providing mental health resources for survivors and first responders.
