A man suspected of crashing his vehicle into a Mormon church, setting it ablaze, and firing at members inside has been identified as a Trump-supporting Iraq war veteran.
Thomas Jacob Sanford, known as ‘Jake’, was fatally shot in the parking lot of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan on Sunday.
The 40-year-old father-of-one killed at least four people and injured eight others during his horrifying rampage.
Authorities continue to search the burned remains of the church for potential victims, acknowledging that an ‘unknown number’ of church attendees are missing. As reported by CNN, the missing could total up to seven people.
Social media photos from Sanford’s wife and family depict a conservative, Christian household managing the pressures of their child’s critical Congenital Hyperinsulinism condition.
In one image, Sanford poses alongside his wife and son wearing a pro-Trump shirt with the message ‘Make Liberals Cry Again.’
The shirt, which sells for $15.95 on eBay, has a cartoon style picture of Trump with his fist in the air, and reads: Re-elect Trump 2020.’
Sanford’s loved ones, including his wife and both of his parents, also frequently shared pro-Trump messaging on their social media pages.
In one image, Sanford poses alongside his wife and son wearing a pro-Trump shirt with the message ‘Make Liberals Cry Again’
Sanford’s silver truck, adorned with American flags, was seen crashed into the church after he fired an assault rifle at numerous congregants, including children.
A Trump sign is visible on Sanford’s property, beneath an American flag, as seen in this Google Maps picture
The 40-year-old father-of-one killed at least four people and injured eight others during his horrifying rampage
Just hours before Sanford’s identity was disclosed, his mother had posted extensively on social media about Trump, expressing hope for stricter Congressional regulations.
‘Life isn’t a FREE RIDE!! No matter what JOB you have!!’ she wrote.
She also frequently posted about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death, indicating she believed there was ‘more to’ the shooting.
Shortly after his death, she penned a moving tribute stating: ‘I, like many others, have been feeling a deep pain in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
‘When things like this happen, it only emboldens the sons and daughters of God to move quicker, jump higher and speak our light into the darkest places of the world and into the hearts of young hijacked minds.
‘The movement of fierce and loving Christians is only emboldened because of the intent and murder of one of our own.’
Separately, she called for James Comey to ‘rot in hell’ after Trump revealed he had been indicted.
Sanford’s wife also shared her political beliefs in 2021, writing: ‘Bring back Trump. Who voted for this.’
The couple had erected a Trump sign outside of their home, according to Google Maps.
The charred wreckage of the building is still being searched
The shirt, which sells for $15.95 on eBay, has a cartoon style picture of Trump with his fist in the air, and reads: Re-elect Trump 2020
According to Facebook , Sanford has a wife and child, and he served in Iraq
Police said the 40-year-old man opened fire on more than a hundred people who had gathered for a service at the Church of Latter Day Saints in Grand Blanc on Sunday
The family were all Christians who frequently addressed their faith in God.
Police have not yet revealed a suspected motive for the heinous attack on churchgoers.
Pictures of the pickup truck Sanford used to ram the church revealed he had two American flags attached.
Sanford served in the military from June 2004 to June 2008, according to the Marine Corps.
He worked as an automotive mechanic and vehicle recovery operator, and from August 2007 to March 2008, he was deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
During his service, he achieved the rank of sergeant and was awarded the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
Sanford allegedly used ‘an accelerant of some sort’, believed to be gasoline, before he lit the church on fire. Authorities confirmed they had located explosive devices, but would not confirm whether they were used to start the blaze.
Reuben Coleman, the acting special agent in charge of the FBI Detroit field office, said the agency is now leading the investigation and considers it ‘an act of targeted violence.’
Police and first responders remained at the scene throughout the night on Sunday, searching for churchgoers who may have been trapped inside
The shooter’s truck had two American flags attached to the back
Police and law enforcement teams were pictured at Sanford’s home on Sunday after the shooting
Police cited extraordinary acts of heroism within the church, revealing congregants risked their lives to ‘shield children’ from the onslaught.
‘They were shielding the children who are also present within the church, moving them to safety,’ Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said.
Renye said the suspect rammed his vehicle through the front door of the building before opening fire with an assault rifle.
As of Sunday afternoon three improvised devices were discovered, two senior U.S. law enforcement officials said, per NBC News.
‘I will confirm that there were some suspected explosive devices that were located,’ one official said. ‘But as far as using them to initiate the blaze, we can’t say that.’
Police received a call about the shooting at 10.25am and arrived on the scene just 32 seconds later.
The shooter was shot dead by police eight minutes later, at 10.33am, in the parking lot of the church.
Trump took to Truth Social to condemn the ‘epidemic of violence’ in the US in the hours after the shooting.
Police and state troopers were seen at the shooter’s home as they conducted the invetsigation
A firetruck ladder is seen over the burnt building following the fire and shooting Sunday
Grand Blanc is a suburb of Flint, located around 60 miles northwest of central Detroit
‘I have been briefed on the horrendous shooting that took place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Grand Blanc, Michigan. The FBI was immediately on scene, and will be leading the Federal Investigation, and providing full support to State and Local Officials,’ Trump wrote.
‘The suspect is dead, but there is still a lot to learn. This appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America.
‘The Trump Administration will keep the Public posted, as we always do. In the meantime, PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!’
