GRANC BLANC, Michigan (LifeSiteNews) — At least four worshippers at a Mormon church in Michigan tragically lost their lives Sunday after a 40-year-old man opened fire on the congregation and then set the facility ablaze. At least eight others were injured.
Authorities in Grand Blanc, Michigan, say that Thomas Jacob Sanford, a former Marine from nearby Burton, drove his truck through the doors of the church and began shooting at the persons inside, some of whom believed he mistakenly crashed into the chapel and started helping him.
Hundreds of persons were on hand for the service, which took place mid-morning. Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye told the media that there is an unknown number of individuals who are yet to be accounted for due to the extent of the damage.
“The entire church has not been cleared because it’s a total loss due to the fire,” he remarked.
Renye praised a local policeman and an official from the state’s Department of Natural Resources for opening fire on Sanford after he started his attack.
“They met the suspect and engaged in gunfire with that particular individual, neutralizing that suspect, and that suspect is no longer with us,” he said.
At the moment, there is no known motive for the attack. Social media accounts believed to have been owned by Sanford indicate he was married with a wife and young son.
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance issued social media posts notifying the public that law enforcement was on hand managing the situation.
“Yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America,” Trump said on Truth Social. “PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!”
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump just CALLED IT LIKE IT IS following the Michigan church shooting
“This appears to be yet another targeted attack on CHRISTIANS in the United States of America.”
“In the meantime, PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN… pic.twitter.com/HvZZwvq6oR
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) September 28, 2025
“Say a prayer for the victims and first responders,” Vance likewise remarked.
Just an awful situation in Michigan. FBI is on the scene and the entire administration is monitoring things.
Say a prayer for the victims and first responders. 🙏
— JD Vance (@JDVance) September 28, 2025
Grand Blanc Community Schools System announced that it would be closing its 13 campuses Monday.
Multiple prominent U.S. politicians have denounced the attack as well, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and former U.S. Senator Mitt Romney, who is Mormon.
“My brothers and sisters and their church are targets of violence. Praying for healing and comforting,” he said.
Spokesman Doug Andersen of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints issued a statement denouncing the “tragic act of violence.”
“We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of prayers and concern from so many people around the world. In moments of sorrow and uncertainty, we find strength and comfort through our faith in Jesus Christ. Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection. We pray for peace and healing for all involved,” it reads.
According to the Detroit Free Press, this is the second shooting at a church in Michigan since June. A report conducted by CatholicVote.org states that there have been more than 500 attacks on Catholic churches alone in the United States since May 2020, with 47 of them in 2025.
The attack comes just weeks after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and a shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis.
