**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 church in Michigan. The incident took place on Sunday when Sanford allegedly rammed his vehicle into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Grand Blanc Township before opening fire on worshippers inside. He also set the church on fire, which was later contained by emergency responders.
At least four people lost their lives, and eight others were injured in the attack.
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**Marine Service**
Sanford served in the United States Marine Corps from June 2004 to June 2008. During his service, he worked as an automotive mechanic and vehicle recovery operator. He was deployed to Iraq from August 2007 to March 2008, achieving the rank of sergeant. His last assignment was with the 2nd Maintenance Battalion at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
Sanford was killed in an exchange of gunfire with police approximately 11 minutes after the first 911 call was made.
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**Military Decorations**
The U.S. Marines have confirmed Sanford’s decorated service. Throughout his military career, he was awarded several medals, including:
– Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
– Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
– Iraq Campaign Medal
– Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
– National Defense Service Medal
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**Community Reaction**
Ryan Lopez, a former classmate of Sanford’s, spoke to the New York Post expressing his shock, describing Sanford as a “normal” person who enjoyed hunting.
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**Personal Life**
Court records reveal that Sanford married his high school sweetheart in 2016. The couple has a 10-year-old son. According to a GoFundMe campaign started in 2015, the family was seeking financial help to support their son’s medical care, as he was born with a rare genetic condition.
Local reports indicate that Sanford took leave from his job as a truck driver for Coca-Cola to care for his son.
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**Official Response**
President Donald Trump praised the FBI’s swift response to the shooting, posting on social media:
“PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!”
The FBI is deploying 100 agents to assist local authorities in the ongoing investigation.
Police Chief William Renye stated that officers arrived at the scene within 30 seconds of the 911 call and fatally shot Sanford about eight minutes later.
Currently, no clear motive has been established for the attack.
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**Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.**
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/who-was-thomas-sanford-michigan-church-shooter/story
