Michigan Church Shooting Leaves Two Dead, Attacker Neutralized
GRAND BLANC, MI – A shooting at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on Sunday resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to eight others. The shooter, identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford of Burton, Michigan, was killed following an exchange of gunfire with police.
The incident unfolded as a fire simultaneously erupted at the church, engulfing the building in flames and thick smoke.While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, authorities are working to determine if it was connected to the shooting. The attack has prompted swift condemnation from both state and national leaders, raising concerns about targeted violence and safety within places of worship.
According to the Grand Blanc Police Department, officers responded to the scene and “neutralized” the shooter, assuring the public there was no ongoing threat. However, law enforcement officials advised residents to avoid the area as the scene remained heavily impacted.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer released a statement, declaring, “Violence everywhere, and especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable.” President Donald Trump also addressed the incident on his Truth Social platform, stating, “The suspect is dead, but there are still many ambiguities. This seems to be another targeted attack on Christians in the United States.”
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson confirmed that a full investigation is underway to ascertain the shooter’s motives and the sequence of events. The identities of the victims have not yet been released.
