Brenda Walters-Sanford, the mother of alleged Michigan church shooter Thomas Sanford, shared a troubling message on social media concerning the challenges of communicating with those who “repeatedly evade accountability” just days before her son carried out his violent attack.
Her post on Facebook seemed notably cryptic, surfacing online before the tragic shooting at the LDS Church in Grand Blanc Township, according to circulating screenshots.
Her now-deleted post, which was captured by the Daily Mail, included the phrase: “Engaging with someone who continuously shuns accountability isn’t a genuine conversation — it’s a struggle. It’s an endless cycle of deflection, projection, and victimhood.”
She continued, “When I try to articulate how your actions have affected me, you don’t listen with the goal of understanding; instead, your focus is on defending yourself. That’s not true communication — it’s merely about ego preservation.”
The message appeared to be part of a widely-shared viral chain that many users have reposted.
“I don’t owe my peace to someone who is solely interested in winning an argument rather than understanding my feelings. At some point, you need to prioritize your self-worth enough to cease pleading with someone to actually listen to you,” the message concluded.
It was unclear if Brenda was alluding to anyone specific in her post.
Her other posts exhibited solidarity with President Trump, along with an image of her son engaged in a hunting activity.
Trump denounced the shooting as an assault on Christians in the wake of violence claiming at least four lives and injuring eight others.
Authorities continue to investigate what incited the former Marine to ram his truck adorned with an American flag into the church while services were ongoing.
Stay updated with The Post’s coverage of the Michigan church shooting
- Family of Michigan church shooter Thomas Sanford “completely in shock” over his violent outburst
- Public record: Thomas Sanford had past arrests ahead of the fatal attack; all worshippers accounted for
- Sanford labeled Mormonism “the antichrist” in a hateful outburst to a city council contender
- Michigan gunman’s mother shared a disturbing message about “avoiding accountability” days earlier
Afterwards, Sanford reportedly set fire to the church while hundreds were still present inside.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on Monday that the shooter “harbored animosity toward individuals of the Mormon faith.”
“According to my discussions with the FBI director, they are currently aware that this was an individual who had disdain for the Mormon community,” Leavitt told Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” on the morning following the incident, providing no further details.
Efforts are underway to determine how premeditated the attack was, the extent of planning involved, and whether a note was left behind.
Investigators are meticulously examining Sanford’s residence, but no detailed information about his background or possible affiliation with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been made public.
