The man who was specially named as a person of interest in a fatal church shooting in Grand Blanc, Michigan, was a soldier and served in the Iraq War, officials said. According to authorities, Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, died on the spot after he crashed their car into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and subsequently set the church. The four deceased were confirmed dead and others were also declared unaccounted for and continuing to be investigated.

Sanford served in the Marine Corps as a sergeant from 2004 to 2008, and was deployed to Iraq during that time of service. A release from the Corps, as cited in reports, says he received several awards including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.

Public Responding to Attack

Thomas Jacob Sanford

The FBI’s Detroit’s field office posted on X asking the public for any information that may have helped him along the way. The investigation still has not disclosed the suspects motives, and the incident was generally violent on the attack and immediately raised questions about possibly being targeted. Some witness said Sanford crashed the vehicle into the church, before igniting flames and began shooting and uttering in days, apparently during the congregation’s Sunday morning.

President Donald Trump weighed in moments after the initial report, referencing news of a possible “targeted attack on Christians”. On Truth Social, he wrote, “I have been briefed on the horrendous shooting that occurred at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from Grand Blanc, Michigan. The FBI was on site, and will be leading the Federal Investigation, and providing great assistance to State and Local officials. The suspect is dead, but there is plenty to learn about.”

National Scene and Continuing Investigation

The attack comes on the heels of another fatal incident at a Catholic school in Minneapolis just a week prior which is a national discussion of violence in religious communities. While investigators are tight lipped on the Sanford’s motives, the way this incident acts warranted reviews for national attention.

The Grand Blanc community is mourning, and law local Federal center law enforcement continued investigation. With forensics evidence complete and then FBI with lead investigation, local officials calling for people to come forward who have information on Sanford or happenings developments prior, during, and after, the attack. There remains many unanswered questions.