Feds Imagine Michigan Church Shooter ‘Hated Folks Of The Mormon Religion’

[ad_1] Federal authorities consider that the 40-year-old man accused of opening hearth at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and killing 4 worshipers in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on Sunday “hated folks of the Mormon religion,” White Home Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt advised “Fox & Mates.”

Throughout an interview on Monday morning, Leavitt mentioned that based mostly on her conversations with FBI Director Kash Patel, “All they know proper now could be this was a person who hated folks of the Mormon religion, and they're making an attempt to know extra about this, how premeditated it was, how a lot planning went into it, whether or not he left a notice.”

“All of these questions have but to be answered, however definitely can be answered by the FBI,” Leavitt added.

FOX NEWS ALERT: @PressSec reveals the suspect within the Michigan church capturing “hated folks of the Mormon religion.” pic.twitter.com/IriLn85r0H

— FOX & Mates (@foxandfriends) September 29, 2025

Authorities haven't mentioned whether or not any writings or info level to a particular motive within the assault, however Leavitt mentioned that the FBI is executing “a number of search warrants on the residences and household houses” of the suspected shooter.

The suspected gunman was recognized as Thomas Jacob Sanford, a U.S. Marine veteran who was deployed to Iraq for almost seven months in 2007. The 40-year-old man had no prison historical past and lived in Burton, Michigan, which borders Grand Blanc. The pickup truck the alleged shooter used within the assault had two American flags displayed in its mattress. In a photograph uploaded to Fb in 2019, the gunman was pictured sporting a “Trump 2020” shirt that learn, “Make Liberals Cry Once more,” NBC Information reported.

Get 40% off new DailyWire+ annual memberships with code FALL40 at checkout!

The attacker was carrying explosive units when he drove his Chevy Silverado into the church constructing on Sunday, however authorities mentioned it was unclear if he used them. Officers consider that the gunman used fuel to start out a hearth within the church, a blaze that engulfed the complete constructing. The 40-year-old veteran allegedly opened hearth on congregants with a semiautomatic rifle. Two folks have been killed from gunshot wounds, and two extra folks have been discovered lifeless within the church after first responders arrived. One other eight folks have been wounded within the assault.

Police responded to the capturing inside 30 seconds and pursued the shooter to a car parking zone behind the church, the place the suspect was shot and killed.