4 dead following shooting, fire at Latter-day Saint church in what FBI calls ‘targeted violence’

Suspect is identified as a 40-year-old male from Burton, Michigan

28 Sept 2025, 7:14 p.m. MDT

Police block a road near the scene of a shooting and fire at a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on Sunday morning, Sept. 28, 2025. Brice Tucker for the Deseret News

Tad Walch covers religion with a focus on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated from a previous version.

Two other people died inside the building that was set on fire during a shooting at a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on Sunday morning.

The information was provided by Grand Blanc Township Chief of Police William Renye during a 6 p.m. news conference.

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The attack was “an act of targeted violence,” according to Reuben Coleman, acting special agent in charge of the Detroit FBI field office.

Renye said that the entire building has yet to be cleared and there are still individuals who have yet to be accounted for.

Two other individuals died due to injuries from the shooting, as reported earlier in the day. In addition to the four deceased victims, the shooter was also killed.

Seven shooting victims are in stable condition, and one is in critical condition, Renye said in a brief 3 p.m. press conference where he didn’t take questions.

Police say the suspect, identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford from Burton, Michigan, drove his vehicle through the front doors of the meetinghouse where hundreds were gathered for services. The suspect exited the vehicle and began firing, police say. The fire that engulfed the building is believed to have been deliberately set by the suspect.

The suspect was killed in the parking lot after exchanging gunfire with officers who responded quickly to the scene, Renye said.

“A call came out at 10:25 a.m. and 32 seconds,” Renye said. “We had officers on scene at 10:25 and 57 seconds.”

Police said earlier in the day that they believed they “will find additional victims once we have that scene secure.”

“There was a large fire and we do believe that there (were) people up there that were near that fire, and they were unable to get out of the church,” Renye said.

Fire and law enforcement officers stand outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Grand Blanc Township, Mich. | Carlos Osorio, Associated Press

Fire and law enforcement officers stand outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Grand Blanc, Mich. | Carlos Osorio, Associated Press

A vehicle that was rammed into the building is surrounded by smoke at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Mich., Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. | Lukas Katilius, The Flint Journal via the Associated Press

People gather at a reunification area at the Trillium Theater after an active shooter incident and fire at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Mich on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. | Lukas Katilius, The Flint Journal via the Associated Press

People gather at a reunification area at the Trillium Theater after after an active shooter incident and fire at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Grand Blanc, Mich., Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. | Lukas Katilius, The Flint Journal via the Associated Press

Emergency responders work the scene outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints following a shooting and fire in Grand Blanc, Mich., Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. | Lukas Katilius, The Flint Journal via the Associated Press

Firefighters work on the scene of a fire and shooting at a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Mich., Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. | Lukas Katilius, The Flint Journal via the Associated Press

Smoke surrounds a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Mich., on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, after active shooter and fire was reported at the church. | Lukas Katilius, The Flint Journal via the Associated Press

Emergency responders work the scene outside a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints following a shooting and fire in Grand Blanc, Mich., Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. | Lukas Katilius, The Flint Journal via the Associated Press

A Michigan State Trooper stands guard along McCandlish Road near a shooting that took place at a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Grand Blanc, Mich. | Jose Juarez, Associated Press

Firefighters try to extinguish a fire at a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Mich., Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. | Lukas Katilius, The Flint Journal via the Associated Press

Emergency responders work the scene outside a meetinghouse of a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints following a shooting and fire in Grand Blanc, Mich., Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. | Lukas Katilius, The Flint Journal via the Associated Press

A road is blocked by authorities after a gunman opened fire inside a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints in Grand Blanc, Mich., Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. | Isabella Volmert, Associated Press

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The following statement was posted on ChurchofJesusChrist.org from Church spokesperson Doug Andersen:

“A tragic act of violence occurred today at a chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan. During Sunday worship services a gunman opened fire, and early reports indicate that multiple individuals were injured. We ask for cooperation with local authorities as details become available.

“The Church is in communication with local law enforcement as the investigation continues and as we receive updates on the condition of those affected. We offer thanks to the emergency responders who are assisting victims and families.

“We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of prayers and concern from so many people around the world. In moments of sorrow and uncertainty, we find strength and comfort through our faith in Jesus Christ. Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection. We pray for peace and healing for all involved.”

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