US EditionFriends of Michigan Church Shooting Suspect Say He Long Carried Hatred Toward Mormon Faith
Thomas Jacob Sanford killed four and injured eight during a church attack fueled by anti-Mormon hatred linked to a past relationship and drug use, officials said.
- At around 10.25am on Sunday, Thomas Jacob Sanford drove his truck into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, set it on fire, and opened fire, leaving the building in ruins by Monday, Sept. 29, 2025.
- Friends recall Sanford's move to Utah after leaving the Marine Corps and his subsequent methamphetamine addiction, which they link to his decline following a breakup with a former girlfriend who was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- During a doorstep exchange, Kris Johns recalled Sanford asking `What do you know about Mormons?` and speaking for 15 minutes using `standard anti-LDS talking points that you would find on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook`.
- Authorities reported the toll as four dead and eight wounded, with survivors aged six to 78; five were treated for gunshot wounds and three for smoke inhalation.
- Federal investigators remained at the church Tuesday as heavy machinery began debris removal, and Jeffrey Schaub, bishop of the Grand Blanc church, said the community is reeling with support from other faith communities.
29 Articles
29 Articles
Alleged Michigan church shooter thought Mormons were ‘the antichrist,’ friends say
The Michigan man suspected of perpetuating a deadly attack at a Mormon church on Sunday hated the sect, according to longtime friends, and told at least one person he believed they were “the antichrist.” The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, started making those feelings known after returning to Michigan from Utah, where friends said he dated a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. “We were like, ‘Come…
Grand Blanc Church Shooter Held Anti-Mormon Views, Say Friends and Officials
Photo: Ryan Garza ~ USA TODAY NETWORK GRAND BLANC, MI, Sept. 30, 2025 ~ New clues have surfaced in the potential motive of the shooter who shot the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, indicating that the shooter held anti-Mormon views. Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, expressed these views to multiple people leading up to the shooting on Sunday, including Burton City Council Candidate Kris Johns while he was campaigning. Johns …
Michigan shooter's terrifying descent into drugs and hatred revealed in wake of attack on Mormon church
#news #uk #britain Proper news from Britain - News from Britain you won’t find anywhere else. Not the tosh the big media force-feed you every day!By MELISSA KOENIG, US REPORTER Published: 21:01 EDT, 30 September 2025 | Updated: 23:01 EDT, 30 September 2025
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