Photo from CNN.com’s Julie J.
SUBSCRIBE to get more breaking news and deep dives on social issues. This article is 100% human-written. And remember, if you see an error, that’s what makes us human.
BREAKING NEWS — Grand Blanc Township, Michigan
Today at about 10 am during the mourning of the death of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a gunman killed at least two people and injured ten others.
What Happened
Mourners gathered in the memory of the late President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Russell M. Nelson, in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, according to police. At some point, a man rammed his truck through the front of the church, causing significant damage during a “large service.” Some of the injured attendees were children.
Once inside the church, the gunman opened fire on the churchgoers with a machine gun. From there, he intentionally set a large fire that spread quickly. Police have not gone inside yet and believe they will find more victims when they do.
Not many details have been released on the motive. However, police have confirmed they exchanged fire with him at the church and killed him. They have noted the shooter was a “40-year-old man” named Thomas Jacob Sanford from Burton, Michigan.
They have not released any information concerning the suspect’s motive, but they are executing search warrants on properties and devices to gather more information, Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said.
OTHER NEWS: WHY was this U.S. COAST GUARD OFFICER ARRESTED at GUNPOINT? Click HERE to find out.
Renye also said the FBI has allocated 100 agents to the area. They will assist in gathering witness statements. “As you can imagine, there’s a lot of witnesses that were within the church and that is a lot of witness information statements that we have to obtain,” he said. At the time of the shooting, hundreds of people were attending.
The Takeaway
Today, September 28, 2025, a 40-year-old man named Thomas Jacob Sanford rammed a vehicle into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, killing at least two and injuring ten. He also set the church on fire, making it unsafe for police to enter. The police killed him in a shootout at the church. They are executing search warrants on his devices and property, and they are waiting to enter the burned church, where they anticipate finding more victims. A motive has not been disclosed at this time. The investigation is still active, and 100 FBI agents have been allocated to the case, according to law enforcement.
FOLLOW the author Jermaine Reed, MFA on X @ Jermaine Reed, MFA for his controversial but real hot takes.
Discover more from The Reeders Block
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
The Reeders Block 