Thomas Jacob Sanford: Michigan Church shooting suspect's shocking criminal background revealed

Thomas Sanford, a shooter with a criminal history, killed four and injured eight at a Latter-day Saints church. Victims included children and the elderly.

Updated on: Sep 29, 2025 11:16 PM IST

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Thomas Sanford, the shooter of the Latter-day Saints church, had previously been arrested for burglary and driving while inebriated, said officials. They further announced everyone inside the house of worship at the time of the shooting has now been accounted for.

The incident claimed the lives of four persons and injured eight others. Moreover, the victims were aged from six to 78.

Michigan shooting: Update about victims

Three people were admitted to the hospital after inhaling smoke from the fire that destroyed the Grand Blanc Township Latter-day Saints church, and five people were hospitalized due to gunshot wounds.

Dr. Michael Danic, the medical head of staff at Henry Ford Genesys hospital, informed reporters during a news conference on Monday that two of the shooting victims are still in serious condition.

William Reyne, the Grand Blanc Township Police Chief, called the shooting “an evil act of violence.”

Sanford died in a gunfight with police after slamming his Chevy Silverado pickup into the church's front entrance and starting fire on people with an assault weapon.

In addition, he set the church on fire, causing it to burn down. However, authorities stated that they were still investigating how he set church to fire.

Reyne confirmed that Sanford, 40, of neighboring Burton, had been booked with “burglary and OWI” crimes in the past.

Also Read: Drug addiction battle, dating a Mormon woman: New shocking revelations about Michigan Church shooter

FBI has interviewed over 100 people, official says

The FBI has conducted interviews with more than 100 victims and witnesses in the 24 hours since yesterday's incident, and it is still conducting further interviews today, according to Reuben Coleman, acting special agent in charge of the FBI Detroit field office.

Coleman reaffirmed the FBI's probing the shooting as a targeted act of violence and still working to identify the shooter's motivation.

Coleman stated that the investigative squads and specialized teams were “out all night,” “exhausting leads” that the public has been providing.

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 More

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