A Sunday worship service in Genesee County turned into tragedy when a man drove a pickup truck into a church, opened fire with a rifle, and ignited the building, leaving at least four people dead and several others wounded, according to officials. Police identified the assailant as Thomas Jacob “Jake” Sanford, 40, of Burton, a nearby city. Sanford was fatally shot during a gun battle with officers in the parking lot shortly after the assault began, said Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye.
Hundreds of worshippers had gathered at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, a Flint suburb, when Sanford crashed his truck into the building just after 10:25 a.m. Witnesses said he immediately began firing multiple rounds inside the sanctuary with an assault-style rifle.
Authorities also believe Sanford intentionally set the church on fire using gasoline or another accelerant, said James Deir, head of the Detroit office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Though suspected explosive devices were found on site, investigators have not confirmed whether they played a role in the blaze.
Fire crews extinguished the flames, but the structure has been deemed a total loss. "The entire church has not been cleared because it's a total loss due to the fire," Renye said. “Right now, first responders are combing through debris to recover victims.”
At least 10 people suffered gunshot wounds, police said. Two victims died at the scene, while the others were taken to Henry Ford Genesys Hospital. Seven are stable, and one remains in critical condition. Additional victims were later found inside the burned building, and officials warned more bodies may be discovered as the recovery effort continues.
Renye said the first 911 calls came in around 10:25 a.m., and officers arrived within half a minute. Two officers—one from the township and one from the state Department of Natural Resources—immediately confronted the gunman outside. Sanford was killed in the shootout around 10:33 a.m., less than ten minutes after the attack began.
Officials React fast
Authorities praised both first responders and church members who helped move children and others to safety during the chaos. “They were shielding the children, moving them out of danger,” Renye said. Grand Blanc Township Supervisor Scott Bennett described the incident as devastating: “We are heartbroken. This kind of violence doesn’t happen here. We will do everything we can to support the families and the community.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also issued a statement calling the event “unacceptable” and thanking emergency crews for their swift action.
Ongoing Investigation
The FBI is leading the investigation, calling the shooting an “act of targeted violence.” Roughly 100 federal agents are assisting local authorities, who are searching Sanford’s home and digital records. Nearby houses were evacuated Sunday evening as bomb squads deployed robots and drones around the suspect’s property.
In the hours following Sanford’s death, Michigan State Police reported responding to several bomb threats at other churches in the region. All locations were cleared, but officials urged residents to stay alert.
The Suspect
Public records and family social media posts suggest Sanford served in the U.S. Marine Corps, with deployments to Japan and Iraq following his 2003 graduation from Goodrich High School. The Pentagon has not released details on his service.
His attack marks the second mass shooting in less than 24 hours allegedly carried out by a Marine veteran; the previous day, another ex-Marine was charged in a shooting at a North Carolina bar that left three dead and at least eight wounded.
Churchgoers described scenes of terror and heartbreak. Survivors were taken to a nearby movie theater for reunification with family members. Stephanie Giddings, a member from Fenton, said, “I am very shaken up. They’re family. My daughter was just baptized here.”
Statement From the Church
In a message to members, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called the attack a “tragic act of violence.” Church officials thanked first responders and expressed gratitude for the global outpouring of support. “Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries,” the statement read. “We pray for peace and healing for all involved.”