In Michigan, Thomas Sanford, the shooter at a Latter-day Saints church, had previous run-ins with the law for burglary and driving under the influence. Local officials confirmed that all individuals present in the church during the shooting have been accounted for.
The tragic incident resulted in four fatalities and injured eight individuals, with victims’ ages spanning from 6 to 78 years old. Five of those hospitalized suffered from gunshot wounds, while the remaining three were treated for smoke inhalation due to the fire that engulfed the Latter-day Saints church in Grand Blanc Township.
At a press briefing on Monday, Dr. Michael Danic, the medical chief of staff at Henry Ford Genesys hospital, reported that two gunshot victims remain in critical condition.
“This was an evil act of violence,” remarked Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Reyne.
He further emphasized, “This does not define Grand Blanc and who we are.”
After ramming his Chevy Silverado truck into the church’s entrance, Sanford engaged in a shootout with police, during which he was killed.
Stay updated with The Post’s coverage on the Michigan church shooting
- Thomas Sanford’s mother shared a concerning message about someone ‘avoiding accountability’ before the shooting.
- Karoline Leavitt suggests Sanford ‘hated’ Mormons as Trump labels it an ‘attack on Christians.’
- Courageous officers responded to the Grand Blanc LDS church shooting in 30 seconds, neutralizing the threat in 8 minutes.
- Iraq War veteran Thomas Sanford identified as the shooter in the Grand Blanc LDS church incident, leading to 4 deaths and a massive fire.
Sanford also set the church on fire, leading to its complete destruction. Officials are still investigating the method he used to ignite the blaze.
When questioned about Sanford’s criminal history, Reyne confirmed he had faced charges for “burglary and OWI.”
Authorities are continuing to probe into the motivations behind Sanford’s heinous attack, which occurred approximately 60 miles north of Detroit.
However, a city council candidate from nearby Burton recounted a recent encounter with Sanford during door-to-door canvassing. He noted Sanford expressed vehement opposition to the Mormon faith during their discussion, labeling it “the antichrist.”
Kris Johns, 44, described their conversation, stating that Sanford initially appeared “extremely friendly,” but quickly expressed hostile views on religion.
Sanford recounted having dated a woman from a Mormon family while in Utah, leading him to share negative opinions about the faith.
“It was very much standard anti-LDS rhetoric that you would find on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook,” Johns explained.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated during an interview on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” that the FBI has concluded Sanford was motivated by hatred toward individuals of the Mormon faith.
Mormons constitute less than 2% of the US population, according to research from Pew. A 2012 Pew survey noted that 74% of American LDS church members lean towards the Republican party.
