Father apologizes for son's Michigan Mormon church taking pictures assault

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GRAND BLANC, Mich. – The daddy of the person chargeable for driving a truck right into a Mormon church in Michigan earlier than opening hearth on congregants apologized for his son's actions on Monday.

The daddy, Thomas Sanford, instructed the Detroit Free Press that the state of affairs is a "nightmare." Neighbors and members of the neighborhood in Grand Blanc, Michigan expressed shock and sorrow in interviews with Fox Information Digital. Investigators haven't decided a particular motive for the shooter, additionally named Thomas Sanford, as new particulars emerge about his romantic life and alleged anti-Mormon prejudice.

"I really feel horrible about all of the households which were harm they usually're underneath the identical crap that I am going underneath, that my spouse and I are going underneath," the elder Sanford mentioned. "I apologize for that."

Sanford added that his son "liked the US" and was a "household man."

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Hearth and legislation enforcement officers stand outdoors the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Grand Blanc, Mich; suspect Jacob Sanford. (AP; Fb/Tella Sanford)

"The one factor I can say is that it was my son that did it," Sanford mentioned. "So far as why? Irrelevant. It occurred. We're coping with it. It has been a nightmare."

On-line pictures of the shooter's house confirmed a marketing campaign signal for President Donald Trump on its fence, however the signal was not current when Fox Information Digital noticed the house on Monday.

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LDS Church shooter Thomas Sanford's house in Grand Blanc, Michigan on Monday, September 29. (Fox Information)

Neighbors of Sanford's father mentioned they had been conscious of the assault however did not speculate concerning the man's motive.

"It is simply terrible," the neighbor mentioned, declining to be named.

Native metropolis council candidate Kris Johns instructed Fox Information that he spoke to Sanford simply days earlier than his assault and that the dialog veered towards excessive anti-Mormon rhetoric.

Sanford referred to Mormonism as "the anti-Christ" throughout their discuss, Johns mentioned.

Previous acquaintances of Sanford's say he had no such prejudice earlier in his life. Sandra Winter, who says she was Sanford's landlady in Utah for roughly 10 months in 2010, mentioned he dated and almost married a Mormon girl throughout his time there.

Police blockade the street outdoors the Mormon Church the place Thomas Sanford opened hearth on congregants, Monday, September 29, 2025. (Fox Information Anders Hagstrom)

Winter mentioned she knew Sanford properly and that he was contemplating becoming a member of the Mormon church so as to additional his relationship with the girlfriend. She added that the lady's household was "fairly gung ho concerning the thought."

Regardless of all this, Winter mentioned Sanford sooner or later abruptly left with out clarification.

One other Grand Blanc neighborhood member instructed Fox Information Digital that he was on the police academy and watched nationwide media descend on Grand Blanc after the assault.

"You see these things taking place throughout and assume it could possibly't occur right here. After which instantly it does," he mentioned.

The house of Thomas Sanford's mother and father, Brenda and Thomas Sanford in Grand Blanc, Michigan on September 29, 2025. (Fox Information)

He went on to argue that media protection of the taking pictures solely provides "gas to the hearth," by giving notoriety to the attacker. As of Tuesday, a minimum of 4 persons are useless, seven are in secure situation within the wake of Sanford's assault.

"It is all about forgiveness," the Grand Blanc resident instructed Fox. "I am not a Mormon however I am a Christian, and I am mourning proper together with them."

A number of native Christian church buildings have provided their help to the Mormon neighborhood within the wake of Sunday's assault. Grand Blanc's The River Church held a prayer service Sunday night time, whereas St. Christopher's Episcopal Church provided to share its services for worship companies.

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"We're all God's kids," St. Christopher's wrote in a press release.

Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox Information Digital overlaying nationwide politics and main breaking information occasions. Ship tricks to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com, or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.