GRAND BLANC, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 28: Emergency services respond to a shooting and fire at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on September 28, 2025 in Grand Blanc, Michigan. Police said there are multiple victims and the shooter is down. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)
As crews continue to assess the aftermath of Sunday’s deadly shooting at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meeting place in Grand Blanc, Michigan, officials from across the state mourned the victims of the attack that killed four people.
The FBI is also hoping to mine tips from the public as it continues its investigation into the incident in which authorities say the suspect, Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, also set the building ablaze before being shot and killed by law enforcement.
A total of 12 people were shot in the attack, police said.
It’s unclear exactly why Sanford chose the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the target for his attack.
GRAND BLANC, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 28: A firefighter walks down the street where emergency services are responding to a shooting and fire at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on September 28, 2025 in Grand Blanc, Michigan. According to police reports there are multiple victims and the shooter is down. (Photo by Emily Elconin/Getty Images)
On Monday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered all U.S. and Michigan flags on all public and state government buildings to be lowered to half-staff to honor the victims through Friday.
Whitmer, in a statement, said her heart is breaking for the community known commonly as the Mormon church.
“Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable,” Whitmer said. “I am grateful to the first responders who took action quickly. To honor those we have lost, I am ordering flags to be lowered across Michigan. Our state is in mourning alongside the victims, their families, and the entire community in Grand Blanc Township.”
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, a candidate for the governor’s office in 2026, said he was also devastated by the shooting.
“Such a horrific act of violence – towards anyone, anywhere – is unjustified,” Gilchrist said. “I’m grateful to the local police officers, fire, and EMS for their quick response. Let’s keep holding each other close.”
State Rep. David Martin (R-Davison), whose district covers Grand Blanc in Genesee County, called the incident a “cowardly attack” on the community.
“On a Sunday, in a sacred house of worship, families should feel nothing but peace and safety. That was stolen from them today in the most horrific and evil way,” Martin said. “My heart breaks for the victims, their families, and everyone in the community who has been shaken by this senseless violence.”
Martin also thanked what he said was a swift and “courageous” response from local law enforcement, as well as an officer from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, who responded in addition to emergency medical personnel.
State Sen. John Cherry (D-Flint), who represents a large portion of Genesee County, including Grand Blanc, said the incident was a tragic act of violence.
“To terrorize people in a place of worship, where their hopes are highest and their faith strongest, is particularly sickening and has rocked our entire community,” Cherry said in a statement. “The congregation, the people of Grand Blanc, and our Genesee County community as a whole will need to heal and rebuild emotionally and physically, and I hope we can all come together to support them and one another during these trying and terrifying times.”
U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) said she was praying for the Mormon community, the victims’ and their families, calling violence in a place of worship “despicable.”
U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) was quick to offer her support and prayers for the Grand Blanc and Mormon community, while also pushing the brake pedal on snap judgments regarding the shooter’s motives, which remain unknown.
“We will know more in the coming days and weeks. And there will be more to say,” Slotkin said in a statement. “But today, we send our strength to those involved who must now try and pick up the pieces and grieve.”
Little is known about Sanford and why he chose the Mormon church as a target for his attack. The FBI Detroit Field Office on late Sunday evening used social media to request any person with information that could assist the investigation to call its tip line or visit its online tip exchange.
What is known is that Sanford was a Burton resident who fought in the Iraq War, and the license plate of his truck, which officials say he used to ram into the building before opening fire on congregants, indicated that he was a veteran of the Iraq War.
Bridge Michigan reported that Google Maps images of Sanford’s home address in Burton, captured in June of this year, show that he had a campaign sign for President Donald Trump affixed to a fence surrounding the small brick house. Bridge also reported that records show Sanford signed two recent ballot proposal petitions.
The first was for the Unlock Michigan proposal that sought to repeal Michigan’s statutory allowance for sweeping gubernatorial powers during a state of emergency, which was wielded by Whitmer in the worst days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The other was supporting Right to Life Michigan’s attempt to keep the state’s abortion ban in place after the fall of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade precedent that protected abortion rights and access to reproductive health care nationwide.
Other reports have noted that his son had a rare pancreatic disease.
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