Thomas Jacob Sanford was identified as the suspect behind a tragic and violent attack at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan. Here's what is known about him:

Background

• Age: 40 years old
• Residence: Burton, Michigan
• Military Service: U.S. Marine veteran who served in Iraq from 2004 to 20082
• Family: Married with a young son who was born with congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI), a rare genetic disorder. A GoFundMe campaign from 2015 raised funds for his son's medical needs

Incident Overview

• Date: Sunday morning, September 28, 2025
• Location: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Grand Blanc Township
• Actions:
• Drove a vehicle into the church entrance
• Opened fire on congregants with a semi-automatic rifle
• Set the building on fire
• Engaged in gunfire with police and was fatally shot at the scene

Aftermath

• Casualties: At least two people killed, nine others injured
• Explosives: Multiple improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were found at the scene and in his vehicle
• Investigation: Authorities are exploring motives, including possible hate-based violence or domestic terrorism. Federal agencies like the FBI and ATF are involved