GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Mich. – The man investigators believe is responsible for an attack at a church in Grand Blanc Township has a military history.
Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, of Burton, is accused of driving his pickup truck into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Police said he got out of his truck and started firing shots from an assault rifle. Sanford was killed by authorities in the parking lot of the church.
At least four people were killed in the Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, attack, and several others were injured. Investigators believe Sanford deliberately set fire to the church.
--->24 hours after Grand Blanc Township church attack: Here’s everything we’ve learned
What we know about attacker’s military history
Sanford was active in the Marines from June 21, 2004, through June 20, 2008, according to a Marines spokesperson.
He was deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom from Aug. 24, 2007 through March 11, 2008.
He reached the rank of Sergeant. His military occupational specialties were organizational automotive mechanic and vehicle recovery operator.
His last duty assignment was at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
He received several awards during his time in the military: Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal
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