Anti-Mormon Hate Cited as Motive in Fatal Michigan Church Shooting by Ex-Marine
Anti-Mormon Hate Cited as Motive in Fatal Michigan Church Shooting by Ex-Marine
New details are rapidly emerging regarding the fatal attack on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Michigan, with authorities and White House officials pointing to anti-Mormon sentiment as a key motive. The gunman, identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob “Jake” Sanford, a Marine veteran, reportedly harbored deep animosity towards the faith.
The horrific incident unfolded during Sunday services when Sanford drove his vehicle through the church’s front doors, discharged multiple rounds from an assault rifle, and allegedly started a fire. Police Chief William Renye confirmed officers arrived within 30 seconds of a 911 call, fatally shooting Sanford. The rampage left four people dead and eight injured.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated Monday morning that FBI Director Kash Patel indicated Sanford “hated people of the Mormon faith.” This was corroborated by Kris Johns, a Burton, Michigan city council candidate, who met Sanford last week. Johns recounted Sanford’s particular dislike for the Latter-day Saints church, claiming followers “believe they’re above Jesus” and detailing Sanford’s failed relationship with a Latter-day Saints woman in Utah, where he resisted demands to change his lifestyle.
Records from the Pentagon confirm Sanford served in the U.S. Marines from 2004 to 2008, including a deployment to Iraq in 2007-2008. Johns also noted Sanford admitted to struggles with drugs post-deployment. The FBI and Michigan State Police are actively investigating, with Johns providing a statement on Sunday.
Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.