GRAND BLANC, Mich. – A woman who attended church in Grand Blanc Township on Sunday recounted the horrifying moments when a man shot multiple people and set the church on fire.
The attack happened at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints just before 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 28, 2025.
At least four people are dead, and many others are hurt from the attack.
The suspect, Thomas Jacob Sanford, was killed in a shootout with two officers, police said.
Multiple people are still unaccounted for. More than 100 church members were inside when the shooting happened.
Paula Maser, a primary teacher, was attending her usual Sunday service in Grand Blanc Township when Sanford crashed his car into the church, shot multiple people with an assault rifle and set the church on fire.
She spoke with NBC-affiliate WEYI and described the chaotic scene.
“I went to church and we were sitting in and they were getting ready to speak,” Maser said. “We had already sang our Sacrament part. And we heard a big bang, and it blew the doors in the church. Everything after that was chaos.”
Maser said her life will never be the same after experiencing what happened on Sunday.
“They were trying to get us down to the lake because it’s way far away, apparently the shooter must have came out,” she continued. “I got in the car with friends, I got my friend in the car, and we were getting ready to leave, and the shooter shot at the car, three bullets hit the car.”
Maser said Sanford shot at her and other church members as they tried to escape. She was hit by glass, and a bullet grazed her friend’s hand.
Neighbors helped Maser and her friends by sheltering them in their home.
“I want everyone to know I can make no sense out of this, but if for some reason they think it was going to shake my faith in Jesus Christ, it ain’t happening,” Maser said.
Read more --> 24 hours after Grand Blanc Township church attack: Here’s everything we’ve learned
The FBI described the attack as “targeted violence” and has since taken over the investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI. You can report a tip online here.