Michigan Church Attack Investigated as Targeted Act of Religious Violence

GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Michigan — Authorities are treating the violent attack on a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse in Grand Blanc Township as a targeted act of religious violence, though the motive remains unclear.

On Sunday morning, Thomas Jacob Sanford, a 40-year-old Iraq War veteran and former Marine from nearby Burton, drove his truck into the church before opening fire and setting the building on fire. The assault resulted in four fatalities and eight injuries amid worship services approximately 60 miles northwest of Detroit.

Sanford was killed by police approximately eight minutes after the attack began, at a parking lot outside the church. Michigan Township Police Chief William Renye noted Sanford had prior arrests but did not disclose further details.

"The FBI is investigating this as an act of targeted violence, and we are continuing to work to determine a motive," said Reuben Coleman, acting special agent-in-charge of the FBI's Detroit field office.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated on a national program that initial evidence suggests Sanford harbored religious bias against members of the Mormon faith.

"All they know right now is this was an individual who hated people of the Mormon faith, and they are trying to understand more about this, how premeditated it was, how much planning went into it, whether he left a note," Leavitt stated.

Hundreds of congregants were present when Sanford rammed the truck through the church doors, proceeded to fire inside, and then ignited the building. Two victims were found dead at the scene, with two additional bodies recovered in the charred ruins later. Police confirmed the death toll remains at four and accounted for all other attendees.

Local sources, including Burton City Council candidate Kris Johns, reported a recent conversation with Sanford, who expressed strong animosity toward the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, referring to its members as "the antichrist." Johns did not report discussions of politics, though a campaign sign supporting former President Donald Trump was visible at Sanford’s residence.

In a separate development, authorities detained a 21-year-old driver who breached a police barricade near the damaged church, with investigations ongoing to determine any connection to the Sunday attack.

This tragic event follows a recent spate of mass shootings in the U.S., including a deadly incident at a Minneapolis Catholic church in May that left two children dead. According to the Gun Violence Archive, the Grand Blanc attack is the 324th mass shooting in the country this year.

Coincidentally, another 40-year-old Iraq War Marine veteran is implicated in a deadly shooting in North Carolina less than 14 hours prior, highlighting broader concerns regarding veteran involvement in acts of mass violence.

Doug Andersen, a spokesperson for the LDS Church, emphasized the sanctity of places of worship.

"Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection," Andersen remarked. "We pray for peace and healing for all involved."