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The F.B.I. is searching homes connected with the attacker, who died at the scene, and his family, who are cooperating with the authorities.
Sept. 29, 2025Updated 12:46 p.m. ET
Federal investigators are searching homes connected with the man who the police say killed at least four people over the weekend in an attack on a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meeting house in Michigan, and are seeking clues to the attacker’s motive, the White House press secretary said on Monday.
“Based on my conversations with the F.B.I. director, all they know right now is, this was an individual who hated people of the Mormon faith,” said Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary, in a morning appearance on Fox News.
She added, “They are trying to understand more about this, how premeditated it was, how much planning went into it, whether he left a note.” The man’s family was cooperating with investigators, Ms. Leavitt said.
The attack shattered a Sunday morning worship service in Grand Blanc Township, Mich., a suburb of about 8,000 people near Flint. The attacker crashed a four-door pickup truck that was flying two American flags into the church building and then began shooting, the police said.
A fire then consumed the church. Two people died of gunshot wounds, the authorities said, and the bodies of two more people were found later in the wreckage of the building. Eight people were wounded.
The gunman died in an exchange of gunfire with the police, the authorities said. They identified him on Sunday as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, of Burton, Mich. He went to high school nearby and served in the Marine Corps. Neighbors of Mr. Sanford said they were shocked that he had been named as the attacker, and described him as a friendly person who would plow their driveways in winter for free.
James Deir, an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said Sunday that three “rudimentary” explosive devices were found at the scene of the shooting. The gunman might have planned to ignite a fire with the devices, Mr. Deir said, adding that it was unclear if another, similar device was used to start the fire at the church.
Chief William Renye of the Grand Blanc Township Police Department did not offer a motive for the attack when he spoke to reporters at a news briefing Sunday. The F.B.I. has called the attack “an act of targeted violence.”
Federal and local authorities were planning to hold another news conference in Grand Blanc on Monday afternoon.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
