On a quiet Sunday morning in late September 2025, the community of Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, was shattered. It was around 10:25 a.m. when a silver GMC Sierra pickup truck, sporting two American flags in the bed, didn’t just pull into the parking lot of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—it rammed straight through the front doors.
People were inside. Hundreds of them.
The chaos that followed was a blur of gunfire and smoke. For anyone searching for the Michigan church shooting who did it, the name at the center of the investigation is Thomas Jacob Sanford. He was a 40-year-old man from the nearby town of Burton, a Marine veteran, and, as investigators eventually discovered, a man carrying a deep-seated grudge that had been simmering for over a decade.
The Man Behind the Attack: Who was Thomas Jacob Sanford?
Sanford wasn't a stranger to the area. He grew up in Atlas Township and graduated from Goodrich High School, where classmates once voted him "class clown." He seemed like a normal kid back then.
Everything changed after he joined the Marines in 2004. He served as a sergeant and worked as an automotive mechanic, eventually deploying to Fallujah, Iraq, between 2007 and 2008. While his records show he earned a Good Conduct Medal, friends say the man who came home wasn't the same happy-go-lucky guy they knew.
He moved to Utah for a while, trying to start over plowing snow. It was there that things allegedly took a dark turn. According to those close to him, Sanford entered a relationship with a woman who was a member of the LDS faith. When that relationship ended badly, Sanford didn't just move on. He brought a heavy, toxic resentment back to Michigan with him.
What Happened During the Grand Blanc Shooting?
The attack was surgical and brutal. After ramming his truck into the chapel on McCandlish Road, Sanford stepped out armed with an assault rifle. He didn't just start shooting randomly; he seemed to have a terrifying focus. Witnesses described him wearing camouflage pants as he fired multiple rounds at the congregation.
Then came the fire.
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Authorities believe Sanford used gasoline as an accelerant to ignite the building. Within minutes, the white steeple that had been a landmark in the township was engulfed in flames. The fire was so intense it caused the roof to collapse, making the subsequent search for victims incredibly dangerous for first responders.
The police response was fast—almost impossibly so. Officers were on the scene within 30 seconds of the first 911 call. By 10:33 a.m., just eight minutes after the ordeal began, Sanford was "neutralized" in the parking lot during an exchange of gunfire with a Grand Blanc Township officer and a Michigan Department of Natural Resources officer.
- Casualties: 4 innocent lives lost.
- Injuries: At least 8 others wounded by gunfire or smoke inhalation.
- The Suspect: Thomas Jacob Sanford, deceased at the scene.
The Motive: Why Did He Do It?
The FBI, led by agents in Detroit, eventually labeled this a "targeted act of violence." While early rumors flew about political affiliations—Sanford had a Trump sign in his yard—investigators shifted focus toward his personal history.
A local city council candidate, Kris Johns, actually spoke to Sanford just six days before the shooting while door-knocking. He said Sanford seemed calm but became intense when the topic of the Mormon faith came up. Sanford reportedly told him the church's followers "believe they're above Jesus" and even called them the "antichrist."
It wasn't just a random outburst. His childhood friends recalled him spouting anti-LDS rhetoric at a wedding 13 years prior. They didn't take it seriously at the time. They thought it was just "Jake being Jake," perhaps struggling with his past drug addiction or the lingering effects of his time in the military. Honestly, it's a sobering reminder of how grievances can fester in the shadows for years before boiling over.
The Victims of the Grand Blanc Tragedy
The community lost pillars of its congregation that day. Among those killed were:
- John Bond, 77, a Navy veteran who loved golf.
- Craig Hayden, 74, a former church leader who had been married for 50 years.
- Pat Howard, a beloved member of the local faith community.
- Thelma Armstrong, who was at the service with her daughter.
These weren't just names on a news ticker. They were grandfathers, wives, and neighbors. One of the most moving stories to emerge was from a daughter of one of the victims. She said she looked into Sanford's eyes as he approached while she knelt over her father. She chose to forgive him in that moment, saying she saw a man who was "lost" and in "pain."
Looking Forward: Security and Community
The investigation into the Michigan church shooting who did it revealed that Sanford also had improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in his truck, though it's unclear if he intended to use them elsewhere. The fact that he was stopped within eight minutes likely saved dozens, if not hundreds, of lives.
For many in Michigan, this event has reignited tough conversations about veteran mental health and the security of houses of worship. The Grand Blanc meetinghouse was the headquarters for seven different congregations. It was a place of peace that was turned into a crime scene in less than ten minutes.
If you are looking for ways to support the survivors or stay informed on the safety protocols being implemented in Michigan churches, here are the most effective steps:
- Support Local Funds: Verified GoFundMe pages were established for the families of John Bond, Craig Hayden, and the injured members like Greg Mikat, who was shot while trying to stop the attacker.
- Mental Health Resources: If you or a veteran you know is struggling with re-entry or long-term resentment, organizations like the Veterans Crisis Line (Dial 988, then press 1) provide immediate, confidential support.
- Community Vigilance: Law enforcement encourages religious organizations to utilize the FBI’s "Active Shooter Preparedness" resources to evaluate building security and emergency exit plans.
The physical building in Grand Blanc may have been reduced to rubble, but the community's response suggests they are far from broken. They have spent the months following the tragedy focusing on healing rather than the hatred that sparked the fire.