Michigan Church Shooting Suspect Was Iraq War Veteran Facing Family Medical Crisis
The suspect in a mass shooting at a Michigan church that left two dead and eight injured was identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, a 40-year-old Iraq War veteran from Burton.
Authorities say Sanford opened fire on congregants at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township on Sunday morning. He also allegedly set fire to the building before he was killed in an exchange of gunfire with police. A motive for the attack has not been provided.
A Marine Corps spokesperson confirmed Sanford served as a sergeant from 2004 to 2008 and was deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He received several medals for his service.
Social media accounts and local news reports paint a picture of an outdoorsman and family man who faced significant personal challenges. A GoFundMe page from 2015 revealed Sanford’s young son was born with a rare genetic disorder called congenital hyperinsulinism, which required lengthy hospital stays and multiple surgeries.
The child’s medical condition was described as taking a severe financial toll on the family. Sanford reportedly took leave from his job as a truck driver to be with his son during treatments. In a past interview, he was quoted as saying, “I spent four years in the Marine Corps and was in Iraq and this is still the most unique thing to deal with.”
