On Sunday, September 28, 2023, a horrific incident unfolded at a Mormon church in Grand Blanc, Michigan, when a man crashed his vehicle through the front doors, leading to a devastating shooting that left two individuals dead and eight others injured. The shooter, identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford from the nearby town of Burton, further escalated the chaos by setting the church ablaze, sending plumes of smoke billowing into the sky.
According to Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye, the church was crowded with hundreds of worshippers at the time of the attack. Two officers, one from the state Department of Natural Resources and another from Grand Blanc Township, responded swiftly to the scene. They engaged in a gunfight with Sanford, ultimately resulting in his death. Renye indicated that they are concerned there may be additional victims within the charred remains of the church, stating, "We do believe that we will find some additional victims once we find the area where the fire was."
Eyewitnesses described the situation as chaotic and terrifying. A woman named Paula, who managed to escape the carnage, recounted her experience in an interview with WXYZ television. "We heard a big bang, and the doors blew. And then everybody rushed out," she explained. Paula noted the absence of security at the church, allowing the shooter to open fire indiscriminately on fleeing parishioners. "I lost friends in there, and some of my little primary children that I teach on Sundays were hurt. It’s very devastating for me," she added, highlighting the emotional toll this tragedy has taken on the community.
This tragic event marks the 324th mass shooting in the United States in 2023, according to the Gun Violence Archive. This organization defines a mass shooting as any incident in which four or more people are shot or killed, excluding the shooter. The rising frequency of such violent events has sparked widespread concern across the nation.
In the wake of the shooting, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed her condolences on social media, stating, "My heart is breaking for the Grand Blanc community. Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable." Former President Donald Trump also weighed in, characterizing the shooting as a targeted attack on Christians in America, while calling for an immediate end to the "epidemic of violence" in the country. The FBI has been dispatched to assist in the ongoing investigation.
Grand Blanc is a small town with a population of approximately 7,700, located about 60 miles (100 km) northwest of Detroit. The tragic shooting at the Mormon church has left the community in shock, highlighting the urgent need for discussions surrounding gun violence and safety in places of worship.
As investigations continue, officials will examine Sanford's home and phone records to uncover the motive behind this shocking act of violence. The Grand Blanc community is left to grapple with the aftermath of this tragedy, mourning the loss of life and supporting those who have been affected.
