A Michigan community is reeling after a gunman stormed a Mormon church in Grand Blanc, killing four and injuring eight, before being shot dead by police. Just days earlier, a local politician revealed he had a disturbing conversation with the suspect, who openly expressed hostility toward the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The chilling exchange now raises questions about what led to the attack.
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Deadly Church Rampage
Authorities say Thomas Jacob Sanford drove his truck into the Mormon chapel on Sunday morning before opening fire and setting the building ablaze. Police fatally shot him in the parking lot after the violent assault. The attack left four dead and eight wounded, devastating the congregation and community. Officials are treating it as targeted violence while investigating Sanford’s motives.
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Politician’s Disturbing Encounter
Burton City Council candidate Kris Johns revealed that he unknowingly spoke with Sanford just a week before the shooting. While canvassing on Sept. 22, Johns engaged in a 20-minute conversation where Sanford expressed disdain for the Mormon faith. “Ultimately, one of his final statements to me was that Mormons are the antichrist. And he said that several times,” Johns recalled.
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Calm Yet Hostile Demeanor
Despite Sanford’s strong words, Johns said the suspect did not appear violent. “I saw a person who was calm and collected,” he noted, adding that Sanford’s hostility seemed contained. “On a scale of, if 10 was an attack on a church, he was at a 1. He was less than a 1,” Johns explained, saying Sanford gave no outward signs of planning violence.
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Personal Grudge Emerges
Friends and acquaintances suggest Sanford’s hatred toward the Mormon Church stemmed from a failed relationship with a church member. Sandra Winter, his former landlord in Utah, recalled that Sanford pursued a deeply religious woman but hesitated to join the church himself. Francis Tersigni, a friend, added: “He got this whole fascination with Mormons, and they are the antichrist, and they are going to take over the world.”
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FBI Confirms Targeted Attack
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said FBI Director Kash Patel described the crime as targeted violence. “From what I understand… all they know right now is this was an individual who hated people of the Mormon faith,” Leavitt told Fox News. The FBI is investigating how much planning was involved and whether Sanford left behind any notes.
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Troubling Family Message
Sanford’s mother also shared a cryptic post on social media days before the massacre. The message appeared to describe strained personal relationships: “Talking to someone who constantly avoids accountability is not a real conversation, it’s a battle. It’s a cycle of deflection, projection, twisting, and playing the victim.” Authorities have not confirmed whether the message was connected to her son’s actions.