Michigan church shooter believed Mormons were ‘the antichrist,’ according to friends’ statements.

A 40-year-old man from Michigan, identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, is at the center of a tragic and violent incident that took place at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Grand Blanc Township on September 29, 2025. This incident is characterized not only by its brutality but also by Sanford’s previously expressed disdain for the Mormon faith, as reported by friends and acquaintances.

Friends of Sanford noted a significant shift in his attitude upon his return to Michigan from Utah, where he had been involved with a member of the church. Individuals who knew him claimed he expressed intensely negative views about Mormons, articulating sentiments that they were “the antichrist.” This transformation in Sanford’s demeanor reportedly surprised those close to him; they remarked that prior to his time in Utah, he had not displayed such extreme hostility.

According to Frances Tersigni, a close friend of Sanford, there was a stark contrast between the man he once knew and the one who emerged after his experiences in Utah. Despite Sanford’s struggles with substance abuse following his military service in 2008, his friends did not perceive him as a threat. Sanford, a father and husband, was described as not exhibiting any clear signs of the violence that would later transpire.

The day of the attack, Sanford allegedly drove his truck into the church building before opening fire. Reports indicate that two individuals were killed on-site and eight others were wounded, with an additional two bodies discovered later amid the wreckage. Official accounts indicate that law enforcement officers subsequently shot and killed Sanford during the chaos.

While the investigation remains ongoing, local authorities have refrained from releasing extensive details regarding Sanford’s background or the specific motivations behind his violent actions. Kris Johns, an individual who engaged Sanford in conversation during a political campaign event just days before the attack, recalled a shift in their discussion from general pleasantries to Sanford’s pointed criticisms of the Mormon faith. This unsettling encounter further underscores the need for greater awareness of underlying tensions that may not be immediately apparent.

As communities grapple with the aftermath of this incident, questions surrounding the influences and motivations of individuals who engage in acts of violence continue to be pressing, highlighting the complex intersection of personal history, ideology, and behavioral change. As investigations proceed, residents and church members alike are left to ponder the implications of such violence on their community and faith.

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