Started By
Message

Iraq War veteran Thomas Sanford ID’d as gunman who attacked Grand Blanc LDS church

Posted on 9/28/25 at 3:14 pm
Posted by stout
Porte du Lafitte
Member since Sep 2006
179159 posts
Posted on 9/28/25 at 3:14 pm



quote:

The deranged madman who killed at least two people and injured nine others at a Michigan Latter-day Saints church, torching the building and opening fire on fleeing congregants and their families, has been identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, The Post can confirm.

Sanford, a US Marine veteran, according to his mom’s Facebook page, rammed his Chevy Silverado truck into the building before unleashing the assault on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, armed with a semi-automatic rifle.

An old Facebook post by Sanford’s mother says the gunman — who died at the scene in a shootout with cops — who served in Iraq from 2004-2008.

Law enforcement sources confirmed that Sanford, from nearby Burton, Michigan, is the line suspect.

The source of the blaze was not immediately known, but sources told The Post authorities found several improvised explosive devices on church property which a bomb squad was investigating.

Cops said there were hundreds of worshippers inside when the attack began, and that an unknown number of victims could be found inside once the building is safe to enter after a massive blaze consumed nearly the entire building, aerial footage showing an enormous plume of choking black smoke rising up from the structure.

Social media accounts believed to be connected to Sanford show he’s a family man, with a wife and young son.

A dormant GoFundMe page from 2015 raised more than $3,000 for the couple’s now-10-year-old son who was born with congenital hyperinsulinism, or CHI, a rare, genetic condition where the pancreas releases too much insulin.
Posted by Timeoday
Easter Island
Member since Aug 2020
17346 posts
Posted on 9/28/25 at 3:16 pm to
That is the 2nd marine involved shooting today. Chuck Schumer will now want to disarm marines.
Posted by HailHailtoMichigan!
Mission Viejo, CA
Member since Mar 2012
73082 posts
Posted on 9/28/25 at 3:16 pm to
Why attack Mormons? What political message are you sending by murdering innocent Mormons?

What a bizarre story.

Perhaps this isn’t an ideological attack?
Posted by SCLibertarian
Conway, South Carolina
Member since Aug 2013
40871 posts
Posted on 9/28/25 at 3:17 pm to
quote:

Perhaps this isn’t an ideological attack?

I'm guessing it's domestic
Posted by High C
viewing the fall....
Member since Nov 2012
59344 posts
Posted on 9/28/25 at 3:18 pm to
quote:

I'm guessing it's domestic


Ditto. Jody may be a factor. Blind speculation, admittedly.
Posted by billjamin
Houston
Member since Jun 2019
16495 posts
Posted on 9/28/25 at 3:19 pm to
quote:

What political message are you sending by murdering innocent Mormons?

Murdering Mormons went out of vogue back in the 1847. Maybe it’s making a comeback.
Posted by Lsupimp
Ersatz Amerika-97.6% phony & fake
Member since Nov 2003
85198 posts
Posted on 9/28/25 at 3:22 pm to
Probably a former Mormon/ has a grievance against the church. How horrific.
Posted by Narax
Member since Jan 2023
5733 posts
Posted on 9/28/25 at 3:22 pm to
quote:

I'm guessing it's domestic


100%

Man that's life fell apart.
Posted by Mile40Saskatchewan
Member since Sep 2025
205 posts
Posted on 9/28/25 at 3:23 pm to
As I posted earlier.......crazy people do crazy things. Usual suspects.
Posted by shinerfan
Duckworld(Earth-616)
Member since Sep 2009
27988 posts
Posted on 9/28/25 at 3:24 pm to
quote:

rammed his Chevy Silverado truck into the building



As a Dodge man I am willing to consider reasonable restrictions on Chevrolet murder machines.
Posted by Sput
Member since Mar 2020
9029 posts
Posted on 9/28/25 at 3:28 pm to
quote:

Why attack Mormons?


I don’t agree with all their beliefs but every Mormon I’ve ever know seem to be the kindest folks on earth
Posted by Narax
Member since Jan 2023
5733 posts
Posted on 9/28/25 at 3:37 pm to
quote:

I don’t agree with all their beliefs but every Mormon I’ve ever know seem to be the kindest folks on earth


Nice and not nice people just like everyone else, more nice than not nice.

I'm willing to suspect it was a person to person problem.

Could have been going through a divorce and the church supported the wife.

Could have been a business deal gone south.

Unlikely he had a grudge against general people who happened to be Mormons.

ETA: Past Addresses: Park City UT
This post was edited on 9/28/25 at 3:50 pm
Posted by udtiger
Over your left shoulder
Member since Nov 2006
112182 posts
Posted on 9/28/25 at 3:37 pm to
quote:

That is the 2nd marine involved shooting today. Chuck Schumer will now want to disarm marines.


Not a good day for the Corps
Posted by BarberitosDawg
Lee County Florida across causeway
Member since Oct 2013
13156 posts
Posted on 9/28/25 at 3:38 pm to
I always hate how the media lumps in the USMC every time a former active duty member commits a crime. He got mustered out by the above info in 2008. That's a long time ago...
Posted by Strannix
C.S.A.
Member since Dec 2012
52785 posts
Posted on 9/28/25 at 3:42 pm to
quote:

every Mormon I’ve ever know seem to be the kindest folks on earth


Agreed
Posted by L.A.
The Mojave Desert
Member since Aug 2003
65260 posts
Posted on 9/28/25 at 3:44 pm to
Coulter Rule in effect. Took less than half a day to have his name and photo released to the public
Posted by IvoryBillMatt
Member since Mar 2020
7895 posts
Posted on 9/28/25 at 3:46 pm to
quote:


Coulter Rule in effect. Took less than half a day to have his name and photo released to the public


Someone should do a spreadsheet.
Posted by Narax
Member since Jan 2023
5733 posts
Posted on 9/28/25 at 3:48 pm to
quote:

Took less than half a day to have his name and photo released to the public


Name, Photo(s), Location, Age, Work History, Marital Status, picture of his Kid, Gofundme for Kid's medical issues.

His online Profile was not scrubbed, here is his address, total dilapidation.
No family members listed as living there.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4156-E-Atherton-Rd-Burton-MI-48519/190398007_zpid/

Looks nicer on the realtor pics from 2016
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/4156-E-Atherton-Rd_Burton_MI_48519_M39331-66170

2016 Marriage application
https://www.mlive.com/living/flint/2016/03/genesee_county_marriage_licens_115.html
Thomas Jacob Sanford and Tella Nicole-Ovidale Campbell

Considering his kid's go-fund-me was 2015, this means he's divorced 1x so far
This post was edited on 9/28/25 at 4:04 pm
Posted by GeneralLee
Member since Aug 2004
13945 posts
Posted on 9/28/25 at 3:53 pm to
Someone on Twitter said his FB profile has “86 47” on it, but I have yet to
confirm that. Can confirm there are plenty of bat sh*t crazy liberals in that part of Michigan though! Including some of my in-laws extended family who were celebrating Charlie Kirk’s death.
Posted by SallysHuman
Lady Palmetto Bug
Member since Jan 2025
13402 posts
Posted on 9/28/25 at 3:54 pm to
quote:

Name, Photo(s), Location, Age, Work History, Marital Status, picture of his Kid, Gofundme for Kid's medical issues.


Is he or was he ever involved in LDS in any way? I haven't seen so either way.
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 5Next pagelast page

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookXInstagram