On September 28, 2025, a horrific attack shook the US state of Michigan. A gunman drove a pickup truck into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, just outside Flint.

As hundreds of worshippers prayed, the attacker opened fire, killing at least four people and injuring eight others. He then set the church on fire, leading to chaos and panic inside the building.

How Police Responded

Police reached the spot within seconds of the first 911 calls. According to officials, the suspect, 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford from the nearby town of Burton, exchanged gunfire with officers. Within eight minutes, Sanford was shot dead by police, preventing further bloodshed.

Authorities later found that Sanford had carried gasoline and explosive devices, though it’s not clear if he used them.

Victims and Missing People

Rescue teams searched the burned-out church late into the night. Officials said some people are still unaccounted for, and the number of victims may rise once rubble is cleared. Among those injured, one is in critical condition, while seven are stable.

Witnesses said worshippers shielded children and tried to move them to safety during the chaos.

Michigan Church Attack

FBI Steps In

The FBI is leading the investigation and has called it an “act of targeted violence.” More than 100 agents have been sent to Michigan. Police are also probing Sanford’s background and whether he had any link to the church or extremist motives.

Political and Public Reactions

• US President Donald Trump said he was briefed and praised the FBI’s quick response. He called the violence an “epidemic” that must end.
• Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed shock, saying violence in a place of worship is “unacceptable.”
• Local churches in Grand Blanc held prayer services for the victims, with people mourning and seeking peace.

A Community in Shock

The church, a central gathering place for the local Mormon community, is now completely destroyed by fire. Residents described the incident as “heartbreaking” for the tight-knit township of 40,000 people.

One father told reporters he had only recently returned to the church with his young daughter. “She was playing in her yellow dress, not knowing what was happening around her,” he said.

This tragedy adds to a long list of mass shootings at places of worship in the US over the past two decades. Many in Michigan now fear for their safety, with some churches already receiving hoax bomb threats after the attack.

For the victims’ families and the wider community, Sunday turned from a day of prayer into a day of mourning.