After Thomas Jacob Sanford hit his pickup into the front doors of the Church of Jesus Christ of the last days of the last days of Grand Blanc, Michigan, he allegedly directed a rifle in attack style against worshipers inside, killing four people and wounding eight others.
A Marine Corps veteran earning in Iraq, Sanford, 40, then set fire to the structure, according to authorities. When frightened parishioners tried to escape the fire, Sanford was killed at the scene by police.
Court Lori Farmer who lives nearby with man Ron, told The independent That she was “shocked” when she heard Sanford identified as the shooter. Farmer and her husband who worked with Sanford are “still rolling,” she said.
“He was a good guy,” Farmer said. “Everything about his family.”
Sanford, who met her husband while driving a truck to Coca-Cola, had gone into ice fishing with the couple and once helped them remove a large fir tree from their property, according to Farmer. Sanford and his wife, who was part of the LDS Church, had a son with special needs; Sanford allegedly had his tattoos removed so he could participate in LDS ceremonies.
Farmer told The independent This ron’s “mind is blown up” all over. She said he was talking to Sanford every morning when they worked together, and described Sanford as a hardworking who held a few other jobs at the same time.
Ron who refused to be interviewed, “really liked [Sanford] And counted him as one of his good friends, “said Farmer,” never so come. But mentioned he heard he was suffering from PTSD, maybe [it] Beat him more from late? “
Sanford’s relatives were reached by Phone Monday and said they were also lost by what could have led to the seemingly random blood embrace.
“At this point I don’t know anything,” Jeffrey Sanford told 57, to The independent. “I assume I leave it to it. It’s very tragic for all, all families. Includes ours.”
Jim Sanford Jr. Simply said, “Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. We will let the police do their pigeon diligence and we are just asking for privacy right now.”
Police have not yet established a motive, but Burton, Michigan -Byråds candidate Kris Johns told journalist Dave Bondy that he crossed trails with Sanford last week while he canvassing. Sanford first seemed comfortable enough, according to Johns, who said things soon took a disturbing turn.
“We just started talking, and after a short while the conversation went to the church of the last days of the saints,” Johns said. “He did the position several times that Mormons are the anti -Christian.”
Still, John emphasized, “It wasn’t something I thought I had to call the police about. You hear all kinds of views these days. Nothing about it suggested he would hurt someone.”
The hospital’s officials said they treated eight victims aged six to 78 years. Five of them suffered gunshot wounds and three were treated for smoke breathing. Police also reportedly discovered IEDs or improvised explosion devices on stage.
In response to Sunday’s massacre, certified firearms instructor Ryan Swartz, a former deputy sheriff in Huron County, offers free training for church leaders and Ushers who want to be armed on the pulpit.
“I usually charge $ 80, you have to take an 8-hour security class and undergo a background check [to get licensed in Michigan]”Swartz said The independent. “I said,” You know what, it’s sad that we’re living in a society like this right now, where shootings are too common. If I can help and it will discourage someone from entering a church and trying to cause harm, I just thought it was the right thing to do. “
According to the Michigan Act, churches are considered “gun-free zones” unless the church leadership gives permission.
Monday told Sanford’s father, Thomas Detroit Free Press That he felt “terrible about all the families who have been injured and they are under the same crap that I go down to my wife and I go down. I apologize.”
He said he was glad that his son “came back in one piece” from his military service ranging from 2004 to 2008.
“He was in logistics,” Thomas Sanford said. “He was driving a van and going out and picking up vehicles. Once he was under fire, but most of the time he was doing well.”
Sanford “loved the United States; he loved his family,” according to his father. “He was a good man. He was a family man … The only thing I can say is that it was my son who did it. As for why?
President Donald Trump has blamed a recent increase in political violence solely on the “radical leftist.” However, photos at social media accounts Sanford dressed in Maga-Merchandise, including a T-shirt reading: “Trump 2020: Get Liberals to cry again.” In Google Maps photos from this June of Sanford’s home in the city of Burton, a Trump-Vance sign can be seen on the fence.
Sanford is not registered with any political party, according to public registers.
Sunday’s shooting was the 324th mass shooting in 2025, according to the Pistoli Archives.