Grand Blanc Township, Mich. – Newly released 911 audio reveals that the gunman responsible for the deadly attack on a Mormon church in Grand Blanc Township attempted to divert law enforcement by reporting false threats at other places of worship just minutes before the attack, according to a new report from police.
In the audio obtained by Local 4 through a Freedom of Information Act request, Thomas Jacob Sanford can be heard making bomb threats against multiple churches—including a Catholic church in Grand Blanc, another church in Goodrich, and a Mormon temple in Birmingham.
According to police, the call was made just minutes before he carried out his attack on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“I’m going to talk, and you’re going to listen,” Sanford told the dispatcher.
When the dispatcher asked for his name, Sanford hung up.
Notably, he never mentioned the church he ultimately targeted.
According to Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye, investigators believe the threats were a calculated attempt to mislead law enforcement. Police also confirmed the reported threats were false.
Investigation Details
Police incident reports indicate the caller specifically emphasized Mormon churches as “important” during the call. Law enforcement later identified Sanford as the caller based on previous calls he made.
GPS data placed the origin of the 911 calls within a mile of the LDS church where the attack occurred. Investigators noted that vehicle exhaust sounds could be heard in the background of the call, suggesting Sanford was in transit while making the threats.
The Attack
Minutes after the diversionary call, Sanford crashed his pickup truck into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He then emerged from the vehicle, opened fire on congregants, and set the building ablaze.
Four people died, and several others were injured. The FBI has confirmed the incident was a “targeted act of violence,” citing Sanford’s anti-religious beliefs against the Mormon community as the motivation.