Lansing, Mich. — The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has confirmed that the man responsible for last month’s deadly attack at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse in Michigan was motivated by deep-seated hatred toward the faith and its members.
Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan of the FBI Detroit Field Office said in a recorded statement on Friday that investigators determined the assault was a “targeted act of violence motivated by the assailant’s anti-religious beliefs against the Latter-day Saint community.”
Attack on Grand Blanc Township Church
The shooter, identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, rammed his pickup truck into the side of the church in Grand Blanc Township, roughly 60 miles northwest of Detroit, on September 28. He then set the building on fire using gasoline before opening fire inside, according to law enforcement.
The attack left four people dead and destroyed the building. Sanford was later killed by responding police officers.
The victims were identified by family and friends as Craig Hayden, William “Pat” Howard, John Bond, and Thelma Armstrong.
Motive Rooted in Religious Hatred
While those close to Sanford had previously said he harbored animosity toward the church, Friday’s FBI confirmation is the first official acknowledgment of his motive.
Authorities say Sanford developed resentment toward the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after living in Utah years earlier. According to acquaintances, Sanford dated a woman who was a member of the faith and struggled after their breakup. They also described him as battling methamphetamine addiction following his service in the U.S. Marine Corps.
The FBI has not disclosed how investigators reached their conclusion or what evidence confirmed Sanford’s motive, citing the ongoing nature of the case.
Church Responds with Message of Peace
Although the Church did not immediately issue a statement in response to the FBI’s findings, its leaders earlier this month urged members to respond to tragedy with “love, forgiveness, and faith.”
That message was shared during a memorial gathering for the Church’s late president, who passed away just a day before the Michigan attack.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, has millions of members worldwide and has historically faced periodic acts of hostility, though rarely with violence on this scale.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities continue to investigate Sanford’s actions and background. The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and FBI Detroit Field Office have not provided further details on the weapons used or the precise timeline of the attack.
An attorney representing Sanford’s family declined to comment.
Law enforcement officials and faith leaders alike have condemned the attack as both a tragedy and a stark reminder of the growing risks posed by hate-driven violence targeting religious communities across the United States.
