Grand Blanc Township: A Sunday morning service turned into tragedy when a gunman carried out a deadly attack at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, leaving at least four worshippers dead and eight others wounded before police shot and killed the assailant.

The incident began around 10:25 a.m. on September 28, when a pickup truck rammed through the church’s front entrance. The driver, later identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford of Burton, Michigan, then opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle and set parts of the building ablaze using accelerants. Witnesses reported chaos as smoke and flames quickly engulfed sections of the church.

Authorities said two bodies were discovered inside the burned structure after the fire was brought under control, raising concerns that the number of fatalities may climb as recovery operations continue. Among the injured, one person remains in critical condition while the others are reported to be stable.

Sanford, a former U.S. Marine and Iraq War veteran, engaged in a shootout with responding officers outside the church about eight minutes after the attack began. He was killed in the exchange. Investigators recovered suspected explosive devices from the scene, prompting the involvement of the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Police are treating the case as an act of targeted violence, though Sanford’s motive remains unclear. Authorities are searching his home and examining his digital records for potential evidence. Officials have not confirmed whether he had any prior connection to the church or its congregation.

The attack left the church heavily damaged and the local community shaken. Governor Gretchen Whitmer condemned the assault, calling it “an unimaginable act of violence in a sacred place.” Several neighboring churches also reported receiving bomb threats later in the day, though authorities believe these were hoaxes fueled by fear.

The Grand Blanc Township tragedy was one of several mass shootings across the United States within a 24-hour span, including incidents in North Carolina and Texas. The wave of violence has reignited concerns about public safety at religious gatherings and other community spaces.

As the investigation continues, officials are working to identify the full scope of Sanford’s actions and to provide support to the victims and families affected by one of Michigan’s deadliest recent attacks.