Sunday morning worship turned deadly chaos when 40-year-old Marine veteran Thomas Jacob Sanford plowed his pickup truck straight through front doors of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Hundreds packed pews for services around 10:25 a.m. Gunfire erupted next, bullets ripping air as worshippers dove cover. Flames followed, engulfing building in thick black smoke.
Police raced scene within seconds after frantic 911 calls reported active shooter plus roaring blaze. Sanford, fresh from Iraq War service, unleashed assault rifle bursts inside sanctuary. Eyewitness Paul Kirby huddled wife plus two young sons nearby. “Loud boom shook everything,” Kirby recalled. “Gunman mere 20 yards away, firing wild. I spun, bolted doors – shrapnel sliced left leg mid-stride.”
Kirby family dashed safety, hearts pounding. “Didn’t think we’d survive,” he admitted later, voice cracking. Home safe, he clutched boys tight, whispering endless thanks. Terror stretched eight agonizing minutes before 10:33 a.m. climax: Officers cornered Sanford parking lot. Gunfight blazed; suspect dropped dead hail bullets.
Four souls lost lives – ages spanning tender six years old vibrant 78. Eight others nursed wounds, two clinging critical care. Among fallen, 77-year-old John Bond stood tall Navy veteran, pillar community. Cherished husband, devoted father, doting grandfather – Bond leaves legacy warmth ripples generations.
Investigators peeled back layers horror post-shootout. Back Sanford’s battered truck, chilling haul emerged: Four crude explosive devices, pieced consumer fireworks. Bomb squad swarmed, neutralizing threats while firefighters battled stubborn inferno gutting sacred space. Clearance operations dragged hours, ensuring no hidden dangers lurked shadows.
Motive sharpens focus growing probe. Sanford harbored deep-seated venom toward Mormon faith, sources confirm. Days prior attack, local city council hopeful crossed paths suspect casual chat. “Last words chilled bone,” candidate shared. “‘Mormons Antichrist’ – blurted outright.” Shocked hearer reeled odd venom, never dreaming words prelude bloodshed.
According to ABC News, Thomas Jacob Sanford was a veteran of the Iraq War who served four years in the Marines from June 2004 through June 2008.
Sanford’s father, Tom, briefly spoke to Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ on Monday, saying, “I feel so bad about the families that were affected by this, aside from ours.”
“We’re not the only ones going through this devastation,” he told the station. “We are beside ourselves.”
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Community reels, stitching wounds fresh scars. “Pure evil violence,” one leader decried raw anguish. Grand Blanc, quiet Flint suburb, grapples unthinkable breach sanctuary. Mourners gather soon, candles flickering memory lost. Law enforcement vows relentless pursuit truth, piecing fragments shattered peace.
