As details emerge about the suspect in Sunday’s deadly attack at a church in Michigan, the president had his own message about the “targeted attack” and the “EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE.”
Sunday morning in Grand Blanc, Michigan, hundreds of congregants gathered for worship at the local chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tragically, at least four were confirmed to have lost their lives after a suspect rammed his truck into the building and began shooting at those assembled in what President Donald Trump suggested was the latest attack on American Christians.
Investigators identified 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford as the alleged suspect responsible for fatally shooting at least two people, as at least two others were said to have been killed by fire after he set the building ablaze, and at least eight more had been injured.
Not long after word of the tragedy began to spread and officials from the Justice Department were among those who began issuing statements, the president took to Truth Social and posted, “I have been briefed on the horrendous shooting that took place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Grand Blanc, Michigan. The FBI was immediately on scene, and will be leading the Federal Investigation, and providing full support to State and Local Officials. The suspect is dead, but there is still a lot to learn.”
“This appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America. The Trump Administration will keep the Public posted, as we always do,” he went on. “In the meantime, PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!”
Amid the rush to politicize the heinous act, searches of the suspect’s social media presence turned up images of the man, said to be an Iraq War veteran, owning pro-Trump signs and apparel, including a T-shirt that read “Re-elect Trump 2020” and “Make Liberals Cry Again.”
NEW: Michigan Mormon Church shooter Thomas Jacob Sanford photographed wearing shirt with cartoon style picture of Trump with his fist in the air, reads “Re-Elect Trump” & “Make Liberals Cry Again” pic.twitter.com/gHfXkJ0TsN
— DannyKPolitics (@DannyKPolitics) September 29, 2025
According to CNN, a GoFundMe page from 2015 detailed that the suspect’s son had been born with congenital hyperinsulinism, and subsequent social media posts had chronicled hospital stays and surgeries that included the removal of portions of the child’s pancreas.
The suspect was killed after exchanging gunfire with law enforcement, who went on to indicate that explosive devices had also been recovered at the scene.
Speaking with Fox 2 Detroit, one witness said, “We at first thought someone had accidentally crashed into the church, so we went out to help him.”
In addition to following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Sunday’s attack came just over a month after two children were killed and 21 others were injured at the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, while attending Mass as part of a disturbing trend leading many Christian and Jewish communities to place an added focus on security.
ABC News reported that investigators are also looking into the timing of the attack to determine if there was a connection with the announced death of LDS President Russel M. Nelson, who passed at the age of 101 on Saturday
A statement from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spokesperson Doug Anderson expressed gratitude to the first responders as well as for the “outpouring of prayers and concern” at home and abroad. “In moments of sorrow and uncertainty, we find strength and comfort through our faith in Jesus Christ. Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer, and connection. We pray for peace and healing for all involved.”
Likewise, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) issued her own statement that read, “My heart is breaking for the Grand Blanc community. Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable. I am grateful to the first responders who took action quickly. We will continue to monitor this situation and hold the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc close.”
A tragic act of violence occurred today at a chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan. During Sunday worship services a gunman opened fire, and early reports indicate that multiple individuals were injured. We ask for cooperation with…
— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) September 28, 2025
— Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) September 28, 2025
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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