A chilling tragedy unfolded in Michigan, leaving investigators with a harrowing task: uncovering the motive behind a mass shooting and arson at a local church. As the search for potential victims continued into Monday, the scale of the devastation became clearer. Gunman Thomas Jacob Sanford, a 40-year-old veteran of the Iraq War, drove his truck into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on a peaceful Sunday morning. The attack resulted in at least four deaths and eight injuries, with the gunman ultimately killed in a shootout with police.
The FBI has taken the lead in this investigation, deeming it an "act of targeted violence." Officials confirmed that one victim died at the scene, another succumbed to their injuries in the hospital, and two more individuals perished in the fire. Eight others remain hospitalized, with one in critical condition. Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye expressed his belief that more victims may be found once the scene is secured, highlighting the magnitude of the tragedy.
The chapel has been declared a "total loss" as investigators meticulously sift through the rubble. A source close to the investigation revealed to ABC News that detectives are working tirelessly to unravel the shooter's motive. Was the church specifically targeted? And could the timing of the attack be linked to the death of Russell M. Nelson, the 101-year-old president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who passed away just a day before the tragedy?
Renye shared that the FBI has assigned over 100 agents to assist in the investigation, underscoring the complexity and importance of the case. He described how the gunman drove his vehicle through the front door, exited, and began firing shots, leaving investigators to piece together the suspect's connection, if any, to the church.
This incident has sparked a national conversation, with President Donald Trump weighing in. He expressed his concern over what he described as "yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America." Trump emphasized the need for immediate action to address the epidemic of violence in the country, while also acknowledging that there is still much to learn from this tragic event. Vice President JD Vance echoed these sentiments, calling the shooting and fire at the LDS church "awful," and assuring that the entire Trump administration is closely monitoring the situation.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer also offered her condolences, stating that her "heart is breaking for the Grand Blanc community." She emphasized the unacceptability of violence, especially in places of worship, and expressed gratitude for the swift response of first responders. As the investigation unfolds, the community of Grand Blanc and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints remain in the thoughts and prayers of many.
