Grand Blanc, Michigan — A tragic incident unfolded Sunday when a gunman murdered four individuals and set fire to a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Authorities report that 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, who was killed by police at the scene, harbored deep-seated animosity toward the faith, linked in part to a tumultuous past and substance abuse struggles.
Friends of Sanford revealed to investigators that his disdain for the LDS Church spiraled after a breakup with a woman over a decade ago. The relationship had been significant, as the woman was a member of the faith, which reportedly intensified his resentment. Witnesses recalled Sanford expressing his vitriol, even disrupting social gatherings with his rants about the church, labeling it “the Antichrist.”
On the day of the shooting, Sanford drove his pickup truck into the church before firing an assault rifle into the congregation. During the assault, he utilized an accelerant to ignite the building, which was mostly destroyed by flames. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as Sanford began shooting at attendees attempting to flee the church, narrowly missing at least one vehicle.
Local law enforcement received notification of the shooting at approximately 10:25 a.m., and officers arrived within half a minute. A confrontation ensued, resulting in Sanford’s death at the hands of responding officers. Among the casualties were four fatalities and multiple injuries, including a young child.
Peter Tersigni, who considered Sanford his best friend, noted that military service and personal struggles had drastically altered his demeanor over the years. While he described Sanford as a once-lighthearted individual, he observed a shift to a more serious disposition after Sanford’s deployment to Iraq. Substance abuse habits developed during his time in Utah further complicated Sanford’s mental state.
Sandra Winter, Sanford’s landlord in Utah, stated that his relationship with the LDS member left him feeling pressured to conform. Despite not fully embracing the faith, his desire to maintain the relationship seemed to fuel his resentment after their breakup. Sanford’s frustrations continued to manifest, with accounts of him verbally attacking the church as recently as days before the shooting.
The FBI has categorized the shooting as a “targeted act of violence,” acknowledging Sanford’s long-standing hostility towards the Mormon community. At a recent campaign event, a local politician engaged with Sanford, only to be confronted with a barrage of disparaging remarks about Mormons.
In the wake of this senseless violence, discussions surrounding Sanford’s political beliefs have emerged. Although a Trump political sign was found at his residence and friends mentioned his conservative views, authorities have not confirmed any political motivations behind the attack.
Investigations are ongoing as community members grapple with the aftermath of the tragedy. Sanford’s friends are left reflecting on his transformation and the disturbing path that led to this deadly confrontation. Tersigni remarked that, despite their long friendship, Sanford’s troubling thoughts about the church had become increasingly apparent in the years leading up to the incident.