Headline Roundup • September 29th, 2025
Shooting and Fire at Michigan Mormon Church Kills at Least 4, Several Still Missing
Summary from the AllSides News Team
A man drove through the entrance of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, MI, on Sunday morning, and opened fire on parishioners, killing at least four.
The Details: The suspect, identified by authorities as Marine veteran Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, was killed by police in a shootout. The church was destroyed in a fire, and at least eight other victims were hospitalized. The FBI is reportedly leading an investigation, though a motive was not immediately determined.
For Context: Another shooting left three dead and at least eight injured at an NC bar on Saturday. The suspect is also a Marine veteran who served in Iraq. Additionally, families of victims from a 2023 shooting in Lewiston, ME, filed a lawsuit against the US government in early September, alleging negligence of the mental health of the shooter, who was an Army reservist.
How The Media Covered It: The suspect’s military affiliations were highlighted in coverage across the political spectrum. The quick response of local law enforcement was highlighted more prominently by media on the right, like New York Post (Lean Right bias). The Hill (Center) noted that “the incident follows a shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis in late August.” CNN (Lean Left) also noted the Minneapolis shooting along with other instances of “unrelenting” gun violence, such as a 2018 synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, PA, and a 2012 Sikh temple shooting in Oak Creek, WI.
Written by the AllSides staff (of humans). Learn more. Support our mission. Suggest an improvement to this summary.
Featured Coverage of this Story
Local police responding to the mass shooting at Michigan Latter-day Saints church Sunday morning were on the scene in just 30 seconds and killed the gunman within minutes, authorities said.
Grand Blanc Township cops received the call of a shooting around 10:25 a.m. as the church service was in full swing, police said.
One of the officers and a worker with the nearby Department of Natural Resources were on the church grounds within 32 seconds, said Police Chief William Renye during a press conference...
The suspect in the Sunday shooting at a Michigan church was a Marine who served in Iraq, according to military officials.
Authorities identified the suspect as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, who died on the scene.
The Marine Corps in a statement obtained by NewsNation said Sanford was a sergeant who served between 2004 and 2008 and was deployed during the Iraq War. He was awarded multiple medals including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, officials said...
Bill Pugliano/Getty Images
Far below the piercing spires atop every Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel rests a sign that beckons, “Visitors welcome” – a testament to the faith’s robust evangelizing efforts.
But on Sunday morning, a visitor took advantage of the church’s open arms – plowing his truck into an LDS chapel in Michigan, shooting worshippers with an assault weapon and setting the building on fire.
At least four people were killed at the church house in Grand Blanc Township. Eight others were wounded...
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