Four killed in Michigan church shooting and fire; FBI leads probe into suspect Thomas Jacob Sanford’s targeted attack. Photos: X.
Michigan Church Shooting: Authorities in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, are struggling to account for all victims following Sunday’s deadly shooting and fire at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Police Chief William Renye confirmed that four people were killed in the attack. Two died of gunshot wounds, while the bodies of two others were discovered inside the burned church, which the alleged gunman set ablaze.
Renye said investigators are “working tirelessly to find additional bodies,” noting that the building remains inaccessible.
“The church hasn’t been cleared yet because it’s a total loss due to the fire,” he told reporters.
Lieutenant Kim Vetter of the Michigan State Police revealed that multiple churches in the area were searched after 911 calls reported possible bombs. “We received 911 calls about threats or other indications that there was a bomb at a different location, some of them were churches,” Vetter said.
Police described the investigation as “exhaustive,” including a search of the suspect’s residence. Authorities are also preparing a warrant to collect digital evidence in an effort to determine a motive.
The alleged shooter, identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, was “neutralized” within 10 minutes of officers arriving on the scene, Chief Renye stated during a Sunday news conference.
Special Agent Ruben Coleman of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office confirmed the agency is now leading the investigation. “This act of violence has no place in our state or anywhere else in our country,” Coleman said. He added that the FBI is committed to uncovering “the facts, circumstances, and motives behind this tragedy,” describing it as “an act of targeted violence.”
President Donald Trump said he was briefed on the shooting and condemned what he called a growing “epidemic of violence” in the United States.
“I have been briefed on the horrendous shooting that took place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “The FBI was immediately on scene, and will be leading the Federal Investigation, and providing full support to State and Local Officials.”
“The suspect is dead, but there is still a lot to learn,” he continued, adding that the attack “appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America.”
Trump vowed that “The Trump Administration will keep the Public posted, as we always do,” and urged Americans to “PRAY for the victims, and their families.” He concluded, “THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!”
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
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