**Who’s Thomas Sanford, Ex-Marine Who Burned Michigan Church, Killed 4**
*By Snehil Singh | September 29, 2025, 11:04 AM*
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**The Incident**
Thomas Jacob Sanford, a 40-year-old former United States Marine, has been identified as the suspect in a tragic shooting at a Michigan church. The attack occurred on Sunday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Grand Blanc Township. Sanford allegedly rammed his vehicle into the church and then opened fire on worshippers inside. He also set the church on fire, causing further chaos before the flames were contained.
The horrific incident resulted in the deaths of at least four people and left eight others injured.
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**Marine Service Background**
Sanford served in the United States Marines from June 2004 to June 2008. According to official records, he worked as an automotive mechanic and vehicle recovery operator. He was deployed to Iraq between August 2007 and March 2008, achieving the rank of sergeant. His final posting was with the 2nd Maintenance Battalion at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
During his military career, Sanford was awarded several decorations, including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.
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**End of the Incident**
Sanford was killed in a gunfire exchange with police approximately eight minutes after officers arrived at the scene—just 11 minutes after the first 911 call. Police Chief William Renye noted that officers responded within 30 seconds of the emergency call.
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**Community Reactions**
Ryan Lopez, a former classmate of Sanford’s, expressed shock at the news, describing him as a “normal” person who enjoyed hunting.
Sanford was married in 2016 to his high school sweetheart. The couple has a 10-year-old son who was born with a rare genetic condition. A 2015 GoFundMe page revealed that the family sought financial help to cover their son’s medical expenses. Local reports also noted that Sanford had taken leave from his job as a Coca-Cola truck driver to care for his son.
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**Presidential Response**
President Donald Trump praised the FBI’s swift response to the shooting and called for an end to violence in the country. In a social media post, he wrote:
“PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!”
The FBI has dispatched 100 agents to assist local authorities in the ongoing investigation. So far, no clear motive has been established for the attack.
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This tragic event has left the Grand Blanc Township community in mourning as authorities continue their investigation into the shocking church attack.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/who-was-thomas-sanford-michigan-church-shooter/story
