People don't usually expect a quiet Sunday morning in a Flint suburb to turn into a literal war zone. But if you’ve been following the news about the shooting in Grand Blanc today, you know the community is still grappling with the echoes of a morning that changed everything. It wasn't just a "disturbance." It was a targeted, violent attack that combined a vehicle ramming, a mass shooting, and a massive arson fire all in the span of a few minutes.
The site was the Grand Blanc Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on McCandlish Road. Honestly, the details coming out of the investigation are more than just a little unsettling.
The Timeline of the Attack
It started at 10:25 a.m.
Hundreds of people were inside. Families were sitting in pews, probably thinking about their plans for the rest of the day or reflecting on the recent passing of church president Russell M. Nelson. Then, a silver GMC Sierra pickup truck—rigged with two American flags in the bed—came barreling through the front doors.
The driver was Thomas Jacob Sanford. He’s a 40-year-old from nearby Burton. He didn't just crash; he got out with an assault rifle and started firing.
💡 You might also like: Robert Hanssen: What Most People Get Wrong About the FBI's Most Damaging Spy
Basically, the building became a trap. While people were scrambling to protect children and elderly members, Sanford reportedly used gasoline to set the structure on fire. Thick, black smoke started pouring out, visible from I-75 miles away. By the time police arrived—which was incredibly fast, like 30 seconds after the first 911 call—the place was already engulfed.
A Quick Breakdown of the Toll:
- Total Deceased: 5 (this includes the shooter).
- Killed by Gunfire: 2 church members.
- Killed by the Fire: 2 church members (found later in the wreckage).
- Injured: 8 people (ranging from a 6-year-old boy to a 78-year-old).
- Hospitalized: Victims were rushed to Henry Ford Genesys Hospital with gunshot wounds and smoke inhalation.
Who Was Thomas Jacob Sanford?
Everyone wants to know why. That’s the big question, right?
Sanford was an Iraq War veteran. He’d been living in a small brick home in Burton since 2016. Neighbors and acquaintances have started painting a picture of a man who had become increasingly radicalized in his hatred toward the LDS faith.
One Burton City Council candidate mentioned that just a week before the shooting, Sanford had called members of the church "the antichrist." The FBI, led by Director Kash Patel, has pretty much confirmed they are treating this as an act of targeted violence based on that religious animosity. It's a heavy thing to process for a "cohesive community" like Grand Blanc.
📖 Related: Why the Recent Snowfall Western New York State Emergency Was Different
Police Chief William Renye was pretty blunt about it. He called it an "evil act of violence." There’s no sugarcoating that.
The Response on the Ground
There were some genuinely heroic moments that haven't been talked about enough. For instance, there were striking nurses from Henry Ford Hospital nearby. When they saw the smoke and heard the shots, they didn't hesitate. They left their picket lines and ran toward the church to help first responders with triage.
"Human lives matter more than our labor dispute," one of the union leaders said. That kinda sums up the spirit of the day.
The actual takedown of the shooter happened in the back parking lot. A Michigan Department of Natural Resources officer and a Grand Blanc Township officer confronted Sanford. They exchanged gunfire, and Sanford was killed within about eight minutes of the initial 911 call. If they hadn't been that fast, the death toll could have been significantly higher, considering there were hundreds of people in that building.
👉 See also: Nate Silver Trump Approval Rating: Why the 2026 Numbers Look So Different
The Investigation Continues
If you drive by McCandlish Road now, you’ll see the FBI’s Evidence Response Team and the ATF combing through what’s left of the stake center. They found three IEDs (improvised explosive devices) in Sanford’s truck. They’re also looking into whether he had help, though currently, they believe he acted alone.
Moving Forward in Grand Blanc
The community is tight-knit. You've got the City of Grand Blanc and Grand Blanc Township—two different governments, but basically one big family. Mayor John Creasey and Township Supervisor Scott Bennett have both been visible, trying to help people navigate the trauma.
For those looking for ways to help or needing support, there are a few concrete steps to take.
- Mental Health Support: The Police Officers Association of Michigan is pushing the Frontline Strong Together (FST5) program for first responders who saw things nobody should have to see.
- Victim Resources: The FBI has set up a dedicated victim services page specifically for those affected by the Grand Blanc LDS shooting.
- Information Sharing: If you have any video from that morning or saw Sanford’s truck in the days leading up to the attack, call 1-800-CALL-FBI. Every little bit of digital evidence helps the Computer Analysis and Response Team build the full picture.
The church is a total loss. But as one survivor mentioned while being treated for shrapnel wounds, the building isn't the faith. The community is already holding vigils at nearby locations like The River Church to start the long process of healing. It’s going to take a long time to get past the shock of what happened in Grand Blanc today, but the local response shows they aren't doing it alone.
Next Steps for Residents:
Monitor local law enforcement social media pages for updates on road closures around McCandlish Road. If you are a member of the local LDS stake, reach out to your ward bishops for information on temporary meeting locations and counseling services provided by the church.