Attack at a Mormon church in Michigan leaves 2 dead, 8 injured

By Joe Hernandez

Published September 28, 2025 at 12:15 PM EDT

Fire and law enforcement officers stand outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Mich., on Sunday.

Updated September 28, 2025 at 6:20 PM EDT

Two people were killed and eight were injured after a gunman attacked a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints service in Michigan on Sunday morning, police said. The shooter was killed by police.

Authorities say the 40-year-old suspect, Thomas Jacob Sanford, rammed his vehicle through the front doors of the church in Grand Blanc Township, about 60 miles northwest of Detroit, before exiting and opening fire with what they described as an assault rifle on the hundreds of worshippers inside.

Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said investigators believe the suspect also deliberately set fire to the church, which appeared engulfed in flames in photos and videos shared on social media.

Renye praised the two officers who quickly responded to the emergency call in less than a minute and "neutralized" the suspect in the church's parking lot. "We do not believe that there's a threat to the public," he said. "We believe that we have the guy who did this."

One of the hospitalized victims in in critical condition and seven are in stable condition, he said on Sunday afternoon.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a post on X that her "heart is breaking" for the Grand Blanc community. "Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable," she added.

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 Township, Mich., on Sunday.

President Trump said in a post on Truth Social that he had been briefed on the "horrendous" attack and vowed the full support of the FBI. Trump added that it "appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America."

In an early afternoon press conference, Renye did not provide any information about a motive for the attack, but said investigators would search the suspect's residence and cellphone records.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spokesperson Doug Andersen called the attack a "tragic act of violence" in a statement posted on the church's website.

"Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection," Andersen added. "We pray for peace and healing for all involved."