Smoke, tears, tributes: Photos show aftermath of deadly Michigan Mormon church shooting

By Shweta Kukreti

Updated On Sept 29, 2025 05:36 pm IST

A shooter identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford opened fire inside a Michigan Mormon church on Sunday, killing many people before being shot by police.

Share Via

Copy Link

1 / 15

The day's program for the church service is seen on the ground near the family reunification area outside of the NCG Cinema - Grand Blanc Trillium following a shooting a shooting at a church in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on September 28, 2025. (AFP)

Updated on Sept 29, 2025 05:36 pm IST

The day's program for the church service is seen on the ground near the family reunification area outside of the NCG Cinema - Grand Blanc Trillium following a shooting a shooting at a church in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on September 28, 2025. (AFP)

2 / 15

People hug near the reunification area outside of the NCG Cinema - Grand Blanc Trillium near the scene of a shooting at a church in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on September 28, 2025. At least four people were killed and several others injured Sunday after a shooter targeted a Mormon church in the US state of Michigan, where the building was also set on fire, authorities said. The suspect, a 40-year-old man from a nearby town, was shot dead by law enforcement after the attack, police said, without specifying any possible motive. (Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP)(AFP)

Updated on Sept 29, 2025 05:36 pm IST

People hug near the reunification area outside of the NCG Cinema - Grand Blanc Trillium near the scene of a shooting at a church in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on September 28, 2025. At least four people were killed and several others injured Sunday after a shooter targeted a Mormon church in the US state of Michigan, where the building was also set on fire, authorities said. The suspect, a 40-year-old man from a nearby town, was shot dead by law enforcement after the attack, police said, without specifying any possible motive. (Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP)(AFP)

3 / 15

A family emotionally reunites at the Trillium Theater located across the street from the site of a shooting and fire at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on September 28, 2025 in Grand Blanc, Michigan. (Getty Images via AFP)

Updated on Sept 29, 2025 05:36 pm IST

A family emotionally reunites at the Trillium Theater located across the street from the site of a shooting and fire at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on September 28, 2025 in Grand Blanc, Michigan. (Getty Images via AFP)

4 / 15

Michigan State Police and Michigan State Bomb Squad work outside a shooting suspect's residence on September 28, 2025 in Burton, Michigan. (Getty Images via AFP)

Updated on Sept 29, 2025 05:36 pm IST

Michigan State Police and Michigan State Bomb Squad work outside a shooting suspect's residence on September 28, 2025 in Burton, Michigan. (Getty Images via AFP)

5 / 15

Bystanders observe the Michigan State Police Bomb Squad work outside a shooting suspect's residence on September 28, 2025 in Burton, Michigan. (Getty Images via AFP)

Updated on Sept 29, 2025 05:36 pm IST

Bystanders observe the Michigan State Police Bomb Squad work outside a shooting suspect's residence on September 28, 2025 in Burton, Michigan. (Getty Images via AFP)

6 / 15

People embrace near the scene of a shooting at a church in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on September 28, 2025. (AFP)

Updated on Sept 29, 2025 05:36 pm IST

People embrace near the scene of a shooting at a church in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on September 28, 2025. (AFP)

7 / 15

Emergency responders work the scene outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints following a shooting and fire in Grand Blanc, Mich., Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (Lukas Katilius/The Flint Journal via AP)(AP)

Updated on Sept 29, 2025 05:36 pm IST

Emergency responders work the scene outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints following a shooting and fire in Grand Blanc, Mich., Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (Lukas Katilius/The Flint Journal via AP)(AP)

8 / 15

Emergency crews respond to a shooting and fire at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Grand Blanc, Mich., Sept. 28, 2025. (David Guralnick/Detroit News via AP)(AP)

Updated on Sept 29, 2025 05:36 pm IST

Emergency crews respond to a shooting and fire at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Grand Blanc, Mich., Sept. 28, 2025. (David Guralnick/Detroit News via AP)(AP)

9 / 15

Firefighters from Atlas Township, Mich., return to their vehicles after taking care of a fire after a shooting at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Grand Blanc, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)(AP)

Updated on Sept 29, 2025 05:36 pm IST

Firefighters from Atlas Township, Mich., return to their vehicles after taking care of a fire after a shooting at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Grand Blanc, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)(AP)

10 / 15

Attendees hold their lit candles during a vigil after a nearby church shooting held at Holy Redeemer Church in Burton, Mich., Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)(AP)

Updated on Sept 29, 2025 05:36 pm IST

Attendees hold their lit candles during a vigil after a nearby church shooting held at Holy Redeemer Church in Burton, Mich., Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)(AP)

11 / 15

Law enforcement guard the area where a shooting and fire took place at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Grand Blanc, Mich. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)(AP)

Updated on Sept 29, 2025 05:36 pm IST

Law enforcement guard the area where a shooting and fire took place at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Grand Blanc, Mich. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)(AP)

12 / 15

Joanne Green of Fenton, 75, top right, and McKenna Harrington of Davison, 25, second from right, comfort Katelyn Kruse of Fenton, 26, center, after Kruse was present at the scene of a shooting and structure fire at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on McCandlish Road in Grand Blanc, Mich., Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (Katy Kildee/Detroit News via AP)(AP)

Updated on Sept 29, 2025 05:36 pm IST

Joanne Green of Fenton, 75, top right, and McKenna Harrington of Davison, 25, second from right, comfort Katelyn Kruse of Fenton, 26, center, after Kruse was present at the scene of a shooting and structure fire at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on McCandlish Road in Grand Blanc, Mich., Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (Katy Kildee/Detroit News via AP)(AP)

13 / 15

Firegfighters walk away from the scene of a shooting at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Grand Blanc, Michigan, U.S., September 28, 2025. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook(REUTERS)

Updated on Sept 29, 2025 05:36 pm IST

Firegfighters walk away from the scene of a shooting at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Grand Blanc, Michigan, U.S., September 28, 2025. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook(REUTERS)

14 / 15

People are reunited at Trillium NCG Theatre with friends and family who were present during a nearby shooting and structure fire at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on McCandlish Road in Grand Blanc, Mich., Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (Katy Kildee/Detroit News via AP)(AP)

Updated on Sept 29, 2025 05:36 pm IST

People are reunited at Trillium NCG Theatre with friends and family who were present during a nearby shooting and structure fire at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on McCandlish Road in Grand Blanc, Mich., Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (Katy Kildee/Detroit News via AP)(AP)

15 / 15

Smoke rises as emergency personnel work at the scene of a shooting which took place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to police, in Grand Blanc, Michigan, U.S., September 28, 2025. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook(REUTERS)

Updated on Sept 29, 2025 05:36 pm IST

Smoke rises as emergency personnel work at the scene of a shooting which took place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to police, in Grand Blanc, Michigan, U.S., September 28, 2025. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook(REUTERS)

Home / Photos / Smoke, tears, tributes: Photos show aftermath of deadly Michigan Mormon church shooting

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shweta Kukreti

Shweta Kukreti has over 8 years of experience in covering Indian and world politics. She joined the Hindustan Times in 2024 and is primarily assigned to the US desk. She currently works as Deputy Chief Content Producer and reports on a wide range of topics, including US politics, immigration issues (especially H-1B visa) and major global events. Shweta strongly emphasizes team operations, which encompasses monitoring news, delegating tasks, editing, developing comprehensive coverage strategies, and crafting engaging, and data-informed narratives. She received the Digi Star Award at the Hindustan Times within a year of joining for her broad coverage of US politics. In 2025, she earned both a promotion and a redesignation, a significant achievement recognising her contributions and the strong value she brings to the team. She has previously worked with the Indian Express, HTDS, ANI and Republic World. Seniors in all the media organisations recognised her work. Regarding education, she earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a master's degree from Delhi University, and she pursued a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institution of Mass Communication (IIMC). She also holds a diploma in Women's Empowerment and Development from IGNOU University and a French certification course from Alliance Française de Delhi. If not working, you can find her exploring the hills and engaging in adventurous activities in Rishikesh and Himachal Pradesh. She loves to play badminton, volleyball, and chess, and spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spiritual activities. Read Less ...Read More

SHARE

Copy

Whatsapp Twitter Facebook Linkedin

Copyright © 2026 HT Digital Streams Limited. All Rights Reserved.

Your Subscription Plan

Saved Articles

Subscribe Now!

Follow Us On