Tragic Incident Strikes Grand Blanc Township: A Church Attack Shocks the Community
In a deeply unsettling event, Grand Blanc Township has been rocked by an attack that has resulted in a tragic loss of life. Thomas Jacob Sanford, a 40-year-old from Burton, is the primary suspect accused of deliberately driving his pickup truck into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Authorities report that after crashing the vehicle into the church, Sanford exited, opened fire with an assault rifle, and subsequently set the building ablaze. The attack has left at least four individuals dead, many injured, and several others still unaccounted for.
Insights from Friends of the Suspect
In the aftermath of this horrific incident, two close friends of Sanford shared their shock and confusion. Speaking to El-Balad, Kara Pattison expressed her difficulty in reconciling their relationship with Sanford’s shocking actions. “How do you mourn the death of someone who did something so terrible?” she questioned, revealing that, while they were stunned, they were not entirely surprised by Sanford’s actions. “If you asked me out of everybody I know to pick 10 people you think might do something like this, I wouldn’t not pick him. And I hate saying that,” she added.
Strange Encounter Just Before the Attack
Pattison and her 16-year-old daughter, Lydia, recounted a peculiar and frightening interaction with Sanford just 48 hours prior to the attack. They described how Sanford, while inside his truck, accelerated toward them as they crossed a street. “We started to cross, and the truck like gunned its engine and came at us,” Pattison recalled. “I blocked my daughter and we jumped back, and then the window rolled down, and it was Jake. He was laughing. He’s, like, ‘Oh, got you guys.’”
- This behavior was alarming and atypical for Sanford, according to his friends.
- They noted Sanford had previously never shown any intent to harm them.
Lydia, who had previously babysat for Sanford’s son, expressed her devastation at the situation. “I didn’t think someone that I knew and loved would do this to people. It’s devastating. It’s so bad,” she said, struggling to comprehend the gravity of Sanford’s actions.
Community Reaction and Ongoing Investigation
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, many are focusing on the victims and their families. Lydia voiced her concerns for Sanford’s wife and son, expressing, “I love (Sanford’s son) so much, and I feel so bad for the wife and son because I can’t imagine what they’re going through right now.”
The investigation is ongoing as law enforcement works to determine the full scope of the attack and its motives. Community leaders are calling for support for those affected, urging the public to come together during this challenging time.
For more updates on the Grand Blanc Township church attack and its impact on the community, follow El-Balad’s comprehensive coverage.
