September 28, 2025, at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) chapel in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, about 60 miles north of Detroit. A 40-year-old U.S. Marine veteran, Thomas Jacob Sanford from Burton, rammed his pickup truck through the church’s front doors during services, opened fire with an AR-15-style rifle, and set the building ablaze. The attack left four people dead, eight injured, and a community in shock. Sanford was killed by police in a shootout in the church parking lot.
The incident began around 10:25 a.m. ET during a packed Sunday service with hundreds of worshippers, including families and children. Sanford crashed his truck into the chapel, got out, and started shooting. He then used an accelerant to start a fire, causing parts of the building to collapse. By 10:33 a.m., responding officers—a local Grand Blanc Township policeman and a Department of Natural Resources trooper—engaged Sanford, ending the attack with his death. Authorities later found three homemade bombs in his truck, hinting at a planned assault.
Four victims lost their lives: two from gunfire and two found in the fire’s debris. One confirmed victim is Craig Hayden, a local churchgoer. Eight others were hurt, with one in critical condition and seven stable as of Sunday night. The fire’s damage has slowed recovery efforts, and officials warn more victims could be found as searches continue. The FBI is leading the investigation, calling it “targeted violence,” but no clear motive has been shared yet. They’re combing through Sanford’s home in Burton and his digital devices for answers.
Sanford, a 2004–2008 Marine veteran who served in Iraq, worked as a truck driver for Coca-Cola and lived a seemingly quiet life. He graduated from Goodrich High School, loved hunting and fishing, and owned a home bought with a Veterans Administration loan. Public records show minor run-ins with the law, like a burglary arrest and a drunk-driving charge, plus a rental dispute in Utah years ago. Social media posts from his family paint a picture of a man who enjoyed the outdoors, but recent photos showed Trump campaign signs in his yard and a U.S. flag in his truck. Some online are calling him a “MAGA extremist,” but officials haven’t tied the attack to politics.
The LDS Church released a statement expressing deep sorrow and gratitude for the quick response of police and firefighters. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer called the attack “heartbreaking,” stressing that places of worship should be safe. Local leaders, including Genesee County Sheriff Christopher Swanson, condemned the “senseless evil.” The FBI, ATF, and Michigan State Police are working together, with federal support pouring in to aid the investigation and community recovery.
This tragedy is the second mass shooting in 24 hours allegedly linked to an Iraq War veteran, raising questions about mental health support for former soldiers. The community is rallying around victims’ families, with vigils planned and calls for unity. The incident adds to growing concerns about gun violence in places of worship across the U.S. For now, Grand Blanc Township mourns, and the nation watches as investigators piece together why this happened.