Investigators find additional victims in Michigan church shooting and fire

September 28, 2025

GENESEE COUNTY, MI – Two more bodies have been found at the scene of shooting at a Grand Blanc church, bringing the number of deceased victims to four, police said.

The gunman also died. Eight other gunshot victims remain in the hospital.

Investigators continue to search debris for other victims from the shooting Sunday, Sept. 28, and fire that destroyed the church.

There are some who remain unaccounted for.

The FBI has taken over the investigation.

Police say Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, of Burton, rammed his truck through the church’s front door, got out and opened fire on hundreds attending the service.

Police were on scene within 30 seconds of a 10:25 a.m. call for help from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 4285 McCandlish Road.

Sanford is believed to have used an accelerant to start the fire.

Sanford was killed in a shootout with a Grand Blanc Township police officer and a state Department of Natural Resources conservation officer.

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