All victims accounted for; 4 dead, 8 injured after Grand Blanc Latter‑day Saints church shooting and fire
A man allegedly rammed his truck into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, then opened fire with an assault‑style rifle during Sunday worship and set the meetinghouse ablaze; witnesses reported bodies and police said the shooter is down and there is no ongoing public threat. Michigan authorities, with federal partners and a nearby reunification site in place, said all victims have been accounted for and updated the toll to four dead and eight injured, and law enforcement identified the suspect as Thomas Jacob Sanford.
Public Safety
Crime
🔍 Key Facts
- An active‑shooter incident and fire occurred at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints, 4825 McCandlish Rd., Grand Blanc, Michigan, during Sunday worship; the meetinghouse was left burning.
- Officials say the gunman rammed his truck into the church, then exited with an assault‑style rifle and opened fire on worshippers from roughly 10–20 yards, with witnesses reporting bullets through glass and shrapnel wounds.
- Law enforcement reported the shooter is down and there was no ongoing public threat; the area was evacuated, a reunification site was set up, federal authorities responded, and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a public statement.
- Authorities identified the suspect as Thomas Jacob Sanford; reporting included on‑the‑record accounts from former roommates, classmates and neighbors and details about his background and activities.
- Officials later said all victims have been accounted for and provided an updated casualty total of 4 dead and 8 injured; earlier reports from various outlets initially gave differing counts (including 1 dead/9 injured and at least 2 dead) before the update.
- Multiple eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes — people loading the wounded into cars, at least some victims in critical condition, and yellow tarps covering shapes witnesses said appeared to be bodies.
📰 Sources (11)
All victims accounted for, 4 dead after Michigan church shooting and fire, officials say
New information:
- Officials say all victims have been accounted for
- Updated casualty totals reported as 4 dead and 8 injured (article)
- Official update provided by Michigan authorities on Monday following Sunday's attack
Latest details on Michigan LDS church shooting that killed at least 4
New information:
- Updated reported death toll of at least four people killed
- Explicit description that the gunman 'rammed his truck into a Michigan church and opened fire during worship services' (vehicle ramming plus active shooting)
What We Know About the Suspect in the Michigan Church Shooting
New information:
- Provides named identification of the shooter as Thomas Jacob Sanford with corroborating service records and life history.
- Supplies additional on‑the‑record human sources (former roommate, classmates, neighbors) and descriptive color about suspect's activities (hunting, snow‑plowing for neighbors).
At least 2 killed in Michigan LDS Church shooting
New information:
- Provides a concrete injured count: eight people were reported injured.
- Confirms at least two fatalities during the Sunday morning service.
- CBS News video report as a corroborating broadcast source (reporter Shanelle Kaul).
News Wrap: At least 2 killed in shooting and fire at Michigan church
New information:
- PBS reports the Michigan church attack left 'at least two' people dead (updates casualty count).
- PBS confirms the church was left in flames in reporting of the incident.
‘Extreme Fear’: Witnesses Describe Scene at Michigan Church Engulfed by Fire
New information:
- Multiple named eyewitness accounts describing the shooter exiting a truck with an assault‑style rifle and beginning to shoot from about 10–20 yards away.
- On‑scene observations of the meeting house burning and yellow tarps covering several shapes that witnesses said appeared to be bodies.
- A worshipper (Paul Kirby) reported a bullet through a glass door and a piece of shrapnel striking his leg; his family loaded fleeing people into their car while two people lay on the ground.
A list of notable shooting attacks on houses of worship in the US in the past 20 years
New information:
- Provides broader historical context by listing notable past U.S. shootings at houses of worship and their dates/casualty counts
At least 1 killed, others seriously hurt in Michigan church shooting | Special Report
New information:
- CBS News reports an official update confirming at least one person was killed.
- CBS News reports others are in critical condition following the shooting.
- The story includes an official on-camera update followed by CBS reporting from Anna Schecter (video source attribution).
Police say 1 person dead and 9 injured in shooting at Michigan church
New information:
- Police report that 1 person is dead and 9 others were injured in the Grand Blanc, Michigan church shooting.
- Article is an Associated Press wire brief published Sept. 28, 2025 confirming the casualty tally and location.
Multiple people shot at Mormon church in Michigan and shooter is down, police say
New information:
- Law enforcement say the shooter is down (no ongoing public threat reported).
- Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson said 'The entire church is on fire.'
- Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a statement mourning the community; area evacuated and federal authorities present.
Multiple victims reported in shooting at Grand Blanc church
New information:
- Active-shooter incident at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4825 McCandlish Rd., Grand Blanc, Michigan
- Police Facebook post (11:12 a.m.) said 'multiple victims' and that the shooter 'is down' and there is no active threat
- The church was reported 'actively' on fire and a reunification site was set up at a nearby pavilion; victim conditions have not been disclosed