Honestly, if you live in Mid-Michigan, the phrase shooting in Grand Blanc Michigan probably triggers two very different images in your head. For some, it’s the crisp autumn morning of September 28, 2025, a day that fundamentally changed the local landscape. For others, it’s the rhythmic "pop-pop" of clay targets at the Huntsman’s Club on a Saturday afternoon.
Grand Blanc is a place where suburban quiet usually reigns supreme. It's the kind of town where people argue more about traffic on Saginaw Street than anything else. But when violence does break out, or when the local shooting sports community gathers, it becomes the center of a much larger conversation about safety, tradition, and recovery.
The Day Everything Changed: The 2025 Church Attack
We have to talk about what happened at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It wasn't just a shooting; it was a coordinated nightmare.
On that Sunday morning around 10:25 a.m., 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, a Marine veteran from nearby Burton, rammed his GMC Sierra through the front doors of the church on McCandlish Road. He didn't just stop there. He stepped out with a semi-automatic rifle and opened fire on a congregation of hundreds. To make matters worse, he started a fire that eventually leveled the building.
The chaos lasted less than four minutes.
By the time the smoke cleared, five people were dead—including Sanford, who was killed in a shootout with a Grand Blanc Township officer and a DNR officer. The victims weren't just names on a news ticker. They were neighbors. John Bond, 77, was a Navy vet who loved model trains. Pat Howard was a pillar of the community. Thelma Armstrong was just there to worship with her daughter.
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It was a targeted act of hate. Investigation later revealed Sanford harbored deep-seated anti-Mormon sentiments. The physical church is gone—a total loss—but the community response was immediate. You've probably seen the "Grand Blanc Strong" signs; they aren't just for show.
Beyond the Tragedy: The Sportsman’s Side of Grand Blanc
It’s a weird juxtaposition, right?
While the town grapples with the memory of that violence, there is a very active, very legal shooting community just down the road. If you’re looking for a place to actually practice or compete, the Grand Blanc Huntsman’s Club on Irish Road is basically the epicenter of Michigan shotgun sports.
They’ve been around for over 60 years. It’s not a "tactical" vibe. It’s more about skeet, trap, and sporting clays.
- The Course: They have a mile-long sporting clays course that winds through 80 acres of woods.
- The Vibe: Honestly, it’s pretty welcoming. Even if you’re a "newbie," people tend to offer tips rather than judgment.
- The Rules: If you want to use the rifle or pistol ranges, you have to be a member and pass a specific safety course. No exceptions.
Many people find it therapeutic. There’s something about the focus required to hit a clay bird flying at 40 miles per hour that forces you to clear your head. But in the wake of recent events, the club has doubled down on its safety protocols and "Range Safety Officer" presence.
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Michigan’s New Reality: Laws and Restrictions in 2026
If you’re a gun owner in Grand Blanc, the legal ground shifted significantly under your feet over the last couple of years. Governor Whitmer’s 2024 and 2025 legislative pushes are now fully in effect.
Basically, the "Wild West" days—if they ever existed here—are long gone.
Michigan now enforces universal background checks for every single firearm purchase. It doesn't matter if it's a private sale or a shop. If you have kids in the house, the Secure Storage Law is no joke; you are legally required to keep firearms unloaded and locked up if a minor is present.
We also have the "Red Flag" laws, or Extreme Risk Protection Orders. Law enforcement or family members can petition a judge to temporarily remove firearms from someone who is a danger to themselves or others. After the church shooting, there was a lot of talk about whether this could have stopped Sanford. It’s a polarizing topic, but it's the law of the land now.
What Most People Get Wrong About Safety in the Township
A lot of people think Grand Blanc is "dangerous" now.
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That’s just not true. Statistically, Grand Blanc remains one of the safer pockets in Genesee County. One horrific, high-profile event doesn't define the everyday reality of the 35,000+ people who live here. The Grand Blanc Township Police Department has actually increased their visibility in "soft target" areas like churches and schools since the 2025 attack.
They’ve also partnered with the FBI Detroit field office to better track threats before they escalate. It’s a proactive approach that didn’t really exist at this scale five years ago.
Moving Forward: Actionable Insights for Residents
If you're living in or visiting the area, here is what you actually need to know about the current state of shooting in Grand Blanc Michigan:
- Seek Mental Health Support: If the events of last September still weigh on you, the Genesee Health System provides specific trauma-informed care for those affected by the church shooting. Don't "tough it out."
- Verify Range Hours: If you're heading to the Huntsman's Club, check their calendar. They often host registered NSCA or NSSA shoots which might close certain courses to the public.
- Audit Your Storage: Ensure your home setup complies with the 2024 Michigan Safe Storage Act. Local police departments often give away free cable locks if you need them.
- Stay Informed on Motives: The FBI continues to release periodic updates on the Sanford investigation. Knowing the "why" won't bring people back, but it helps the community recognize the warning signs of radicalization.
The recovery process isn't a straight line. It's messy. But Grand Blanc is proving that even after the worst kind of gunfire, a community can choose to define itself by its resilience rather than its tragedies.
Stay safe, look out for your neighbors, and if you’re heading to the range, keep your muzzle pointed downrange.
Next Steps: You can check the Grand Blanc Township official website for the latest police blotters or visit the Grand Blanc Huntsman's Club site to register for their next Range Safety Course.