Mormon Church Massacre Latest: Gunman Thomas Jacob Sanford's Mother Shared Chilling Message Days Before Shooting Killed Four People
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The mother of a man who opened fire in a Michigan church before incinerating it shared a haunting message calling for an unidentified individual to "accept accountability," just two days prior to the tragic incident, RadarOnline.com reports.
The violent act resulted in at least four fatalities, with fears that the death toll might rise as authorities investigate the devastated site.
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Source: Facebook
Sanford set the church ablaze while people were trapped inside.
Thomas Jacob Sanford crashed his pickup truck into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc on Sunday morning, subsequently firing upon the congregants inside.
Law enforcement fatally shot the 40-year-old as flames overtook the chapel.
While the specifics of his motive remain under investigation, a disturbing Facebook post from his mother, Brenda Walters-Sanford, has raised eyebrows, as she directed stern words at an unnamed individual referred to simply as "You."
"People lack accountability, then say, 'You could’ve talked to me,'" she wrote. "No, I couldn’t. You don’t listen. You deflect. You twist everything into an attack and then play the victim."
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Mother's Disturbing Message
Source: Facebook
He was a decorated Marine who served during the Iraq War.
The post elaborated: "I’ve spent too long bending, softening, and framing my words to fit the narrative you want, hoping for connection and understanding. But it never comes."
"Instead, there’s defensiveness and manipulation. I can’t and won’t invest my emotional energy in someone who favors winning over understanding."
"I won’t sacrifice my mental peace for someone who only seeks to argue and gaslight, all while acting as the victim when consequences arise," she continued, ending with a declaration to protect her own well-being.
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A Life of Courage and Service
Source: Facebook
His mother’s cryptic post came just days before the horrific incident.
Sanford, a veteran Marine, served in Iraq from June 2004 to June 2008, excelling in roles such as automotive mechanic and vehicle recovery operator. He had received numerous awards for his service including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal.
A family acquaintance revealed that Sanford had been grappling with PTSD. "It's hard to feel sad for someone who did something so dreadful, yet I still feel a sense of loss," the friend commented, acknowledging that mental health challenges were often discussed lightly within the family.
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Source: Facebook
The motive behind the attack is still under investigation.
The horrific event took place around 10:25 a.m. on Sunday, as hundreds congregated in the church in Grand Blanc Township, outside Flint. Sanford rammed his truck, adorned with two American flags, into the building and began shooting.
Officials disclosed that he used gasoline to ignite the fire and reportedly possessed explosive devices, although it remains unclear whether they were deployed.
The inferno rendered the church "completely destroyed," and rescuers worry that more victims may be discovered once it's safe to sift through the ashes where congregants might have been trapped.
The FBI is leading the investigation and classifies the incident as an "act of targeted violence."
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