Former US Marine Thomas Sanford Identified as Michigan Mormon Church Shooter: Military Background and Tragic Attack Details

The United States experienced its second mass shooting in less than 24 hours when a violent incident occurred at a Mormon church in Michigan.

Police have identified the perpetrator who crashed his vehicle through the entrance of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Michigan and opened fire on Sunday as Thomas Jacob Sanford, a 40-year-old resident from Burton. Authorities believe Sanford deliberately set fire to the chapel while hundreds of congregants were attending a service.

The tragic incident resulted in four fatalities and eight injuries. Law enforcement officers fatally shot the suspect during the confrontation.

According to Police Chief William Renye, officers responded to a 911 call within 30 seconds and neutralized the shooter approximately eight minutes later. After the suspect exited the church, two officers pursued him and engaged in an exchange of gunfire.

Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for the attack.

Official records cited by The New York Times indicate that Sanford graduated from a local high school in 2004. Also known as Jake, he served in the United States Marine Corps from 2004 to 2008.

A US Marine Corps spokesperson informed NBC that Sanford worked as an organizational automotive mechanic and vehicle recovery operator, achieving the rank of sergeant during his service. His military career was decorated with several accolades, including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.

Sanford was deployed to Iraq from 2007 to 2008, with his final assignment being in the 2nd Maintenance Battalion of Combat Logistics Regiment 25 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

Ryan Lopez, a former high school classmate of Sanford, expressed shock to The New York Times, stating that he frequently encountered Sanford around town and noticed nothing unusual about his behavior.

"He was happy to see me, he just seemed normal," Lopez remarked. He described Sanford as an enthusiastic hunter of geese, turkey, and deer, characterizing him as a typical "country kid" during their youth.

Court records show that Sanford married his high school sweetheart in 2016, and they have a 10-year-old son. As of this report, his family has not issued any statement.

Brad Schneemann, whose residence is approximately 400 yards (365 meters) from the church, told The Associated Press that he and his daughter heard "two rounds of four to five shots" around 10:30 a.m. "Then, we really didn't hear anything for a while" before they ventured outside to investigate.

Timothy Jones, 48, mentioned that his family belongs to another Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congregation about 15 minutes away, but his children had attended the Grand Blanc Township ward the previous night for a youth fall festival. Jones explained that his family relocated to Flint two years ago largely due to the strong faith community in the area.

This incident marked the second mass shooting in the United States in under 24 hours. On Saturday night, a man in a boat opened fire on a crowd in Southport, North Carolina, killing three and injuring five.

President Donald Trump stated in a social media post that he had been briefed on the Michigan shooting and commended the FBI for its response. Local authorities confirmed that the FBI was dispatching 100 agents to Grand Blanc Township, a community of approximately 40,000 residents outside Flint.

"PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!" Trump wrote.