From the New York Post: The deranged madman who killed at least two people and injured nine others at a Michigan Latter-day Saints church, torching the building and opening fire on fleeing congregants and their families, has been identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, The Post can confirm.
Sanford, a US Marine veteran, according to his mom’s Facebook page, rammed his Chevy Silverado truck into the building before unleashing the assault on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, armed with a semi-automatic rifle.
An old Facebook post by Sanford’s mother says the gunman — who died at the scene in a shootout with cops — who served in Iraq from 2004-2008.
Officials confirmed that Sanford lived in Burton, Michigan, which is only about 8 miles from Grand Blanc.
The report notes that, based on social media posts, Sanford has a wife and a 10-year-old son.
Sanford reportedly drove his Chevy Silverado into the church’s front chapel wall. When people started running out, he then opened fire on them in the front foyer. A bomb was later discovered in his truck.
Police quickly responded to the attack, located the gunman, and shot him dead, but not before he had set the church on fire. Video footage showed the entire church engulfed in flames, and officials fear the death toll will rise, as they are concerned some people may have become trapped and were unable to get out.
Police are expected to hold a press conference Sunday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. ET. WATCH BELOW:
During the press conference, police confirmed that Sanford was, indeed, the shooter, and said 10 people were shot. Two of those victims have died, and the others are hospitalized. 7 are in stable condition, and 1 is in critical condition.
Internet sleuths had already identified the suspect, before it was confirmed by the media.
Thomas Jacob Sanford’s (Goes by Jake) of Burton, Michigan who resides at 4156 E Atherton Rd. 40 years of age.
Facebook account has been scrubbed. I believe we have identified the deceased shooter. This correlates with the police helicopter searches and the road closures. pic.twitter.com/1gNzeVitAP
— Stellar Man (@stellarman22) September 28, 2025
JUST IN: Iraq War veteran Thomas Sanford identified as the suspected gunman who attacked the Michigan Latter-day Saints church, according to the New York Post.
Here is what we know according to the Post:
– Sanford was a US Marine veteran.
– He served in Iraq from 2004-2008.… pic.twitter.com/NBMfJEGbr6
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 28, 2025
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