Who Was Thomas Jacob Sanford? Inside the Michigan Church Attack
On Sunday, September 28, 2025, a silver pickup truck smashed through the wall of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan—moments before gunfire and flames erupted inside. The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob “Jake” Sanford, was killed in a shootout with police. Four congregants died, and eight others were wounded in what authorities are calling a deliberate act of violence with no clear motive.
The suspect’s truck crashed into the Michigan church before he opened fire and set the building ablaze. (Credit: The New York Times)
Key Facts About the Suspect
- Name: Thomas Jacob Sanford, also known as “Jake”
- Age: 40
- Hometown: Burton, Michigan
- Military Service: U.S. Marine Corps (2004–2008), deployed to Iraq (2007–2008)
- Family: Married in 2016 to a high school classmate; father of a 10-year-old son
- Occupation: Former snow removal and landscaping worker; dabbled in sculpture art
Timeline of the Attack
| Time (Approx.) | Event |
|---|---|
| 10:15 a.m. | Sanford crashes truck into church wall during Sunday services |
| 10:17 a.m. | Opens fire inside; sets fire to building |
| 10:22 a.m. | Police arrive; exchange gunfire with suspect |
| 10:25 a.m. | Suspect “neutralized”; four victims confirmed dead |
| Later that day | Two additional bodies found in charred rubble |
A Man of Contradictions
Neighbors and acquaintances described Sanford as quiet, helpful, and unassuming:
- Plowed neighbors’ driveways for free in winter
- Worked as a sculptor using Sheetrock in Utah around 2010
- Former classmate called him “normal” just weeks before the attack
- No known criminal record or public history of extremism
“Something must have happened, snapped somehow,” said Randy Thronson, a neighbor who hadn’t spoken to Sanford in two years but remembered him as “a nice guy.”
Unanswered Questions
Despite extensive reporting, critical details remain unknown:
- Motive: Police have not identified a reason for the attack
- Targeting: Was the church specifically chosen? No evidence yet
- Mental Health: No public records of diagnosis or treatment
- Online Activity: Authorities are reviewing digital footprint
Chief William Renye of the Grand Blanc Township Police Department confirmed the attack was “intentional” but stressed that investigators are “not ruling anything in or out” at this stage.
Community in Mourning
The Grand Blanc congregation—known for its tight-knit, family-oriented community—is reeling. Vigils have been held across Genesee County, and local leaders are calling for unity amid grief.
“We lost neighbors, friends, and faithful souls in an act that defies understanding,” said Pastor Elaine Morrow of a nearby Methodist church. “But we will not let fear divide us.”
