FBI probing Michigan church shooting as 'targeted violence'; people 'unaccounted for' Kristen Jordan Shamus, Karissa Waddick, Dinah Voyles Pulver and Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY NETWORK September 28, 2025 at 6:01 PM 1.
- - FBI probing Michigan church shooting as 'targeted violence'; people 'unaccounted for'
Kristen Jordan Shamus, Karissa Waddick, Dinah Voyles Pulver and Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY NETWORK September 28, 2025 at 6:01 PM
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DETROIT — At least four people are dead and several others were injured after a man crashed a vehicle into a Michigan church, opened fire with a rifle, and set the building ablaze during Sunday service, authorities said.
The suspect was identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, a 40-year-old from the neighboring city of Burton, according to Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye. Sanford died after exchanging gunfire with responding officers in the church's parking lot.
Hundreds of people were attending the service at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, a suburb of Flint, Michigan, when the suspect rammed a pickup truck into the church, Renye said at an earlier news conference. He then exited the vehicle and fired "several rounds" at people inside the church with an assault rifle, Renye said.
Police believe the suspect also "deliberately" set the building on fire, which was extinguished by the Grand Blanc Township Fire Department, according to Renye. Videos on social media and local television stations showed flames and smoke billowing from the church.
Ten people suffered gunshot wounds, including two who were pronounced dead. Seven of the hospitalized victims are stable, and one is in critical condition, Renye previously said.
Two more bodies were discovered in the church, and authorities were still searching for additional victims, Renye said during an 8 p.m. ET news conference. Earlier, the police chief said authorities believed they would find more victims once they found the area where the fire was.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation into the shooting and is investigating the incident "as an act of targeted violence," said Reuben Coleman, the acting special agent in charge of the FBI's Detroit field office.
"This act of violence has no place in our state or anywhere else in our country," Coleman said. "The FBI is committed to continue finding out the facts, circumstances, and motives behind this tragedy."
Church is a 'total loss' due to fire; some people 'unaccounted for'
During the 8 p.m. ET news conference, Renye said the chapel was a "total loss" due to the fire, and authorities were working to find additional bodies. Earlier on Sunday, police described the scene as "incredibly catastrophic."
"The entire church has not been cleared because it's a total loss due to the fire," the police chief said. "So these first responders right now, they're in recovery mode. They're trying to fight through all the debris from the fire."
He added that some people are "unaccounted for."
Fire at church was set with accelerant, ATF says
The suspect used an accelerant, believed to be gasoline, to set the church on fire, according to James Deir, special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Detroit Field Division.
"I will confirm that there were some suspected explosive devices that were located," Deir said at the news conference Sunday night. "But as far as using them to initiate the blaze, we can't say that."
Local police chief praises heroism of first responders, community members
Renye praised the heroic actions of "not only the first responders, but the people who were inside that church at the time."
"They were shielding the children who are also present within the church, moving them to safety," he said, adding that hundreds of people were attending Sunday services to practice their faith.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of this incident," Renye said. "It's very tragic, and that's not what our community is. I'm confident that we're going to overcome this."
State police continue to respond to bomb threats in community
Michigan State Police have responded to additional bomb threats at several locations throughout the community, spokesperson Lt. Kim Vetter said at the 8 p.m. ET news conference. She added that state police searched and cleared multiple churches on Sunday evening.
The threats came after the suspect was killed in the church shooting, according to Vetter.
"Please, continue to stay vigilant, and if you see something suspicious, say something," Vetter said.
Michigan church shooting suspect: What we know about Thomas Jacob Sanford
Who is Thomas Jacob Sanford?
The suspect's hometown of Burton is about eight miles north of Grand Blanc. The suspect also went by "Jake" to many of his acquaintances, according to records and past news reports.
Sanford appears to have been a veteran of the U.S. Marines, according to posts by Sanford's mother on her Facebook page. Sanford did stints in Japan and Iraq after graduating from Goodrich High School in 2003, according to a 2007 news article from the Clarkston News.
In one post, Sanford's mother posted a photo of Sanford in his Marine uniform. "Thank you to our son.. service 2004-2008.. Iraq Veteran!!" she wrote.
The Pentagon did not respond to a request from USA TODAY seeking information about Sanford's military record.
Sunday's shooting appears to be the second incident involving a Marine veteran in less than 24 hours. In North Carolina, another Marine veteran was charged in connection with a mass shooting that killed three people and left at least eight others injured at a riverside bar on Saturday.
— Chris Quintana, Joey Garrison, and Dinah Voyles Pulver
Police chief: Officers rushed to the scene within 30 seconds of receiving emergency calls
During the 5 p.m. ET news conference, Renye said authorities received a 911 call at about 10:25 a.m. and officers responded within about 30 seconds.
Earlier in the day, Renye said two officers, one from Grand Blanc Township and another from the state Department of Natural Resources, immediately responded to the scene and engaged the suspect in an exchange of gunfire.
The suspect was "neutralized" at around 10:33 a.m. in the church's parking lot, according to Renye.
"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.
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Shooting victims received treatment at local hospital
Victims were receiving medical treatment at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital, according to Renye. The hospital confirmed in a statement to USA TODAY that it cared for 10 people injured in the shooting and fire at the church.
"The hospital is fully staffed with experienced caregivers and able to care for all our patients," a hospital spokesperson said in the statement. "Our hearts go out to our patients, their families, and the community—including the people worshipping when the tragic act of violence occurred."
The incident occurred as nurses at the hospital were on strike, according to Teamsters Local 332, the union representing the nurses. Some nurses had left the picket line to assist first responders but were turned away due to the labor dispute, The Detroit News reported.
"We understand and appreciate the Teamsters' instinct to care for their neighbors during this time of heartbreak, and we will not hesitate to reach out if we need additional assistance," the hospital spokesperson said. "We look forward to coming together again soon to care for our community."
Grand Blanc Township supervisor: 'We are heartbroken'
Grand Blanc is about 60 miles northwest of Detroit, Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of about 7,700 people.
"We are heartbroken," Grand Blanc Township Supervisor Scott Bennett said at an earlier news conference. "This kind of violence doesn't happen in our community, and we are heartbroken that it came to Grand Blanc Township."
Bennett added: "And we're going to do everything we can to support the families, the victims, and our community getting through this situation."
'Yet another targeted attack': Trump sounds alarm after Michigan church mass shooting
Law enforcement searching the suspect's residence
Police said they will conduct search warrants on the suspect's residence and search cellphone records.
Several law enforcement agencies were assisting local authorities in the investigation, including 100 FBI agents, Michigan State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
A Michigan State Police helicopter circled overhead, and dozens of police vehicles had the road blocked in front of the home. A bomb squad vehicle with bulldozer tracks and an armored cab was also stationed out front, with other vehicles, including two bomb squad vans, multiple police cruisers and an ambulance waiting at the ready. At one point, a robot and a drone were deployed.
Nearby homes were evacuated. One officer on the scene advised reporters to move back, saying there was a small possibility of an explosion. He stressed it was likely a small possibility, but wanted people to be aware.
People embrace near the scene of a shooting at a church in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on Sept. 28, 2025.Church member: 'I am very shaken up'
As church attendees left the theater, some rushed to family members and friends waiting outside, hugging and weeping.
Survivors evacuated from the church were taken to the nearby NCG Trillium Cinema for "reunification and questioning," an officer told the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Stephanie Giddings, who lives in nearby Fenton, went to the reunification site to be close to her fellow church members. She said she had to leave work early because "I am very shaken up."
"They're family," she said, noting that her daughter had been baptized recently at the chapel.
Trump responds to Michigan church shooting
In a Truth Social post, President Donald Trump said the Federal Bureau of Investigation immediately responded to the scene in Grand Blanc. The FBI will be leading the federal investigation into the shooting and will provide "full support" to state and local officials, according to Trump.
"The suspect is dead, but there is still a lot to learn," Trump said in the post. "This appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America."
"The Trump Administration will keep the Public posted, as we always do," he added. "In the meantime, PRAY for the victims and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!"
'A tragic act of violence': Church of Jesus Chris of Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a statement following the shooting, calling the incident a "tragic act of violence."
"The Church is in communication with local law enforcement as the investigation continues and as we receive updates on the condition of those affected," the church's spokesperson Doug Andersen said in the statement. "We offer thanks to the emergency responders who are assisting victims and families."
"We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of prayers and concern from so many people around the world," he said. "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."
Neighbors recount scene outside Michigan church
Phillip Cotter, a Clio resident, stood at the police cordon on Sunday morning. He said he was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc but was not in attendance at the morning service.
"I know everyone who was there," he said, choking up with emotion and tears welling up in his eyes.
"I don't know what God has planned for us, but I trust him," Cotter said.
Grand Blanc resident Tony Deck said he was sitting on his backyard patio about 10:15 a.m. ET, when he heard sirens coming from Saginaw Street, about 300 yards from the church.
"I drove up before a lot of the police and ambulances got here, got out of my truck and ran towards it to see if there was anything I could do to help," he said. "There was a silver Chevy Silverado that had been driven into the side of the church — not even through the doors."
"There were at least four yellow canvases over dead bodies that I could see at the time."
As of noon, Deck said first responders had blocked off the area, preventing him from leaving. The church, he said, "is completely destroyed."
Sheriff: 'Entire church is on fire'
Christopher Swanson, sheriff of Genesee County, Michigan, posted an update on Facebook just before noon ET on Sunday.
"This is a dynamic scene," Swanson said. "The entire church is on fire."
"The people that were here have been evacuated. We do have victims here, we're working on that," he added.
Swanson said he was asked by the Grand Blanc Township police to share the information.
"The shooter is down. We do have multiple victims," he said. "Just know that there's a lot of things that are happening that we are not able to communicate just because of the work that needs to be done."
A family emotionally reunites at the Trillium Theater located across the street from the site of a shooting and fire at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan.Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer thanks first responders
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement on X that her office is monitoring the situation in Grand Blanc.
"My heart is breaking for the Grand Blanc community. Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable," Whitmer wrote. "I am grateful to the first responders who took action quickly. We will continue to monitor the situation and hold The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc close."
Members of Michigan's congressional delegation, including Sen. Elissa Slotkin and Rep. Debbie Dingell, thanked officials, offered condolences to families of the victims, and offered support in statements on social media.
"We will know more in the coming days and weeks. And there will be more to say. But today, we send our strength to those involved who must now try and pick up the pieces and grieve," Slotkin said.
Shooting comes after Mormon church leader's death
The shooting comes a day after the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints passed away.
Russell M. Nelson, the oldest person ever to lead the church, died late Sept. 27 at his Salt Lake City home. He was 101 years old.
Nelson's tenure as president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was marked by several sweeping policy changes, including a 2019 rollback of a policy that labeled same-sex member couples "apostates" and barred their minor children from religious rites.
1 / 19President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dies at 101Russell M. Nelson, a heart surgeon and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died on Sept. 27, 2025 at the age of 101. He's shown here as a student at Roosevelt Junior High in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1936.Law enforcement in other US cities increase patrols at places of worship
Officials announced on Sunday that law enforcement officers will be deployed to places of worship in Los Angeles and New York City "out of an abundance of caution."
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and the New York City Police Department said in separate statements that agencies will provide additional resources and increase patrols at religious institutions across the two cities.
"The reports of a mass shooting and fire during Sunday services at an LDS church in Michigan are devastating," Bass said in a statement on X. "This type of violence is reprehensible and should have no place in our country. My heart is with the families impacted and the entire Grand Blanc community."
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott also decried the shooting in Michigan, saying the "escalation of violent attacks against people and places of faith is heinous and must end." Abbott said in a statement on X that he has directed the state's Department of Public Safety to form task forces with local and federal law enforcement to "better safeguard our places of worship."
The shooting is the latest attack on a place of worship in the United States. On Aug. 27, a shooter opened fire through the windows of a church in Minneapolis, killing two children and injuring at least 18 others, including 15 children and three parishioners in their 80s.
Contributing: Chris Quintana, Joey Garrison, and Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY; Detroit Free Press
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan church shooting: Death toll climbs as FBI investigates attack
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