Introduction to the Incident
Grand Blanc, Mich. authorities are releasing more information after a shooting at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Sunday morning. The shooting happened just before 10:30 a.m. at the location on McCandlish Road. Here’s the latest information police are sharing about the suspect, who was identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford.
Grand Blanc Church Shooting
Three people were killed, including the shooter, and eight others remain hospitalized after a shooting Sunday morning at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, according to police. During the shooting, the suspect is believed to have intentionally set a fire that engulfed the church, and police said more victims could still be discovered in the blaze.
Image Credit: @Malkowski6April via Storyful
Suspect Information
Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said during a Sunday afternoon press conference that the suspect was a 40-year-old man from Burton, a neighboring city of Grand Blanc where the shooting took place. Grand Blanc is about 60 miles north of Detroit. Police sources later identified the shooter as Sanford, a Marine veteran who spent time in Iraq. According to sources, he had a wife and a son. More details about him are expected later. Renye said the suspect was killed in a shootout with responding officers, and it’s believed the suspect acted alone with an assault rifle. Renye said the suspect first rammed his vehicle through the front doors of the church, got out and began shooting at the parishioners before "deliberately" starting a fire.
What We Know and Don’t Know
Renye did not give the suspect’s name and wasn’t sure yet if the suspect was previously known to law enforcement. It’s also not known yet how the suspect started the fire, or where in the church the fire began.
Next Steps in the Investigation
"We’re going to do search warrants at the suspect’s residence. We’re going to find out if there was a motive. We’re going to go through cell phone records, things like that," Renye said. Renye said authorities would be providing more information in a scheduled 5 p.m. ET presser on Sunday.
Witness Accounts
Parishioner Brian Taylor spoke with FOX 2 at the scene after being shot at in his vehicle. His hand was injured by shrapnel from the windshield, though he, his wife, and son are OK otherwise. "None of us recognized this guy," Taylor said. "He came (inside) in camo pants and (with) an assault rifle." Taylor said church had started at 10 a.m. and it was nearing communion time when everyone heard a loud bang. Taylor saw the front wall of the church was cracked, and assumed some sort of accident happened. "We started rushing out to go help, and as soon as I saw the American flags on the truck, and somebody yelled it was on purpose, I tried to get people out of the area and disperse away," he shared.
Source of Information
The Source: Information in this article was taken from a Grand Blanc Police Department press conference at 1 p.m. ET on Sept. 28, 2025, and from witness statements. This story was reported from Detroit.
Conclusion
The Grand Blanc church shooting has left the community in shock, with three people killed, including the shooter, and eight others hospitalized. The suspect, identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, was a 40-year-old Marine veteran who acted alone. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the motive behind the shooting and the fire that engulfed the church.
FAQs
Q: Who was the suspect in the Grand Blanc church shooting?
A: The suspect was identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, a Marine veteran from Burton.
Q: How many people were killed in the shooting?
A: Three people were killed, including the shooter.
Q: How many people were hospitalized?
A: Eight people remain hospitalized after the shooting.
Q: What is the current status of the investigation?
A: The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the motive behind the shooting and the fire that engulfed the church.
Q: What was the cause of the fire at the church?
A: The suspect is believed to have intentionally started the fire, but the exact cause is still unknown.
