On September 28, 2025, tragedy struck Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, when a man drove a pickup truck into a local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, opened fire on congregants, and set the building ablaze. The assault left four people dead and several others injured before the attacker was killed in an exchange of gunfire with responding officers. Wikipedia+3Reuters+3WDIV+3
In the immediate aftermath of the massacre, the attacker’s father released a brief statement expressing sorrow, shock, and a request for privacy while grieving. WXYZ 7 News Detroit+2WDIV+2
Now, the attacker’s extended family has come forward with a fuller, more public message — expressing sorrow, confusion, and concern for the victims and community. This statement has drawn attention as the investigation continues, and as the community struggles to heal from the horror.
Below is a closer look at that statement, the details known so far about the attack, reactions from families and first responders, and what comes next for Grand Blanc Township.
The Extended Family’s Statement: Words from the Heart
On September 30, 2025, local media outlet ClickOnDetroit published the full text of a statement released by the attacker’s extended family. WDIV
In part, they said:
“Our hearts are broken for the victims, the survivors, and their families. The whole Grand Blanc community is hurting.
As Jake’s extended family, we are devastated by what he did. None of us can make sense of why he would do something so horrifying. We don’t have answers, and we are waiting on investigators to finish their work. Even then, we know nothing will make this right.
Our concern is with the families who lost loved ones, those who were injured, and everyone who now has to carry this weight. We pray for their healing and for peace in the middle of so much pain.
We also want to thank the first responders. Their courage and quick action saved many precious lives. For now, our family asks for privacy as we grieve and try to process this tragedy along with the community.”
— Extended family of Grand Blanc Township church attacker WDIV
In essence, the message communicates profound grief and remorse, while acknowledging a lack of understanding about the motives behind the attack. The tone is somber and conciliatory: they prioritize victims, the community, and first responders, and they urge for privacy in their grieving process.
The family also echoes the earlier sentiment of the attacker’s father, who said:
“We are completely in shock over this. We have no answers. We are asking for privacy as we grieve our loss and those of the others.” WDIV+2WDIV+2
What We Know About the Attack So Far
To fully contextualize the family’s statement, it’s important to review the facts as they are known:
Timeline & Events
- The attack occurred at 10:25 a.m. EDT on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the 4200 block of McCandlish Road, Grand Blanc Township. Reuters+3WDIV+3WDIV+3
- The suspected perpetrator, later identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, drove his vehicle into the church, then exited and opened fire with an assault rifle. WDIV+3Reuters+3Wikipedia+3
- He is also believed to have set the church on fire, likely using an accelerant (e.g. gasoline). Wikipedia+3WDIV+3WDIV+3
- First responders and law enforcement engaged him in a shootout; Sanford was killed roughly eight minutes after the first 911 call. WDIV+3Wikipedia+3Reuters+3
- The wait to sift through debris, search the ruins, and account for all victims continues. Reuters+3WDIV+3WDIV+3
Casualties & Injuries
- At least four churchgoers were killed in the attack (two by gunfire, two found in the burned remains). Reuters+3WDIV+3WDIV+3
- Several others were injured — ten or more, per some reports — some critically. WDIV+2WDIV+2
- There was initial uncertainty about whether more victims remained unaccounted for, but investigators have since worked to confirm all were found. Reuters+3Wikipedia+3WDIV+3
Who Was the Suspect?
- Thomas Jacob Sanford, aged 40, from Burton, Michigan, has been publicly identified as the suspect. Wikipedia+3WDIV+3WDIV+3
- Sanford was a former U.S. Marine, and authorities are investigating whether anti-Mormon sentiment played a role. WDIV+3Reuters+3The Guardian+3
- Reports also indicate that explosive devices (IEDs) or fireworks/ smoke canisters may have been found in or near the suspect’s vehicle. WDIV+2Reuters+2
- Some of his friends described recent unusual behavior. One friend claimed a disturbing encounter days before the attack: she says Sanford drove toward her and her daughter in a truck, then laughed, saying “Oh, got you guys.” WDIV+1
Reactions from Community, Officials & First Responders
Local Authorities & Law Enforcement
- Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye expressed admiration for those inside the church who attempted to shield children and helped others escape. WDIV+2WDIV+2
- The FBI has taken over parts of the investigation, treating the incident as “targeted violence.” WDIV+3Reuters+3Wikipedia+3
- Authorities say Sanford acted alone, and there is no threat to the wider public at this time. WDIV+1
- Bomb squads and SWAT teams were involved in searching both the church and the suspect’s home in nearby Burton. WDIV+1
Victim and Congregation Response
- Members of the congregation sheltered children and guided others toward safety amid chaos, according to witnesses. WDIV+1
- Local churches in the region have since reexamined security measures, balancing openness and safety. Midland Daily News
- Community rallies have formed: neighbors offering meals, prayers, emotional support, and space for grieving. WDIV+1
- Some children and congregants who were present gave firsthand accounts of the sudden violence, the confusion, and the terror of trying to escape. WDIV+1
Public & Political Figures
- Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer condemned the violence, calling it unacceptable, especially in a place of worship. WDIV+1
- Local legislators, faith leaders, and civil rights groups have echoed calls for calm, investigation, and dialogue about religious tolerance and gun safety. WDIV+1
Examining the Significance of the Statement
Why does the extended family’s statement matter? Because it offers a rare public voice from those closest to the perpetrator, humanizing the ripple effects of tragedy while also acknowledging moral boundaries.
Acknowledgement Without Excuse
The statement conveys deep sorrow, but it does not attempt to rationalize or excuse the attacker’s actions. It admits a breach of moral integrity — “devastated by what he did” — and explicitly says they have no answers. WDIV
That stance is important. In many such atrocities, families may respond defensively; here, the wording suggests recognition that some acts transcend understanding.
Centering the Victims & Community
The extended family explicitly focuses first on victims, survivors, and their families, rather than on the perpetrator. They express empathy, prayers, and respect for those who must live with the loss and trauma. WDIV
They also thank first responders, acknowledging their heroic role in preventing further devastation. WDIV
Request for Privacy & Grief
The family repeatedly asks for privacy as they, too, grieve and try to process the aftermath. Their words reflect that they see themselves also as victims — though of a very different kind — in the wake of a public tragedy. WDIV+1
This request is delicate: media scrutiny often intensifies public sorrow, and families in these situations can feel doubly victimized — once by the act, and again by relentless public exposure.
Limits of What Can Be Said
The statement does not offer motive, context, or defense for Sanford’s actions. Instead, it stresses that even investigators likely won’t deliver “answers” that make things right:
“We don’t have answers … Even then, we know nothing will make this right.” WDIV
In tragedy, acknowledgment of the limits of understanding may be as meaningful as explanation.
What Comes Next: The Investigation & Healing Process
Ongoing Investigation
- Authorities will dig into Sanford’s digital footprint, phone records, and home environment to seek clues to motive. WDIV+1
- The FBI will coordinate with local and federal agencies in the investigation. Reuters+1
- The search through the church remains will continue, to confirm no victim remains unaccounted for. WDIV+1
- Officials will assess whether someone else had foreknowledge, or whether Sanford acted entirely alone. WDIV+1
Community Healing & Support
- Counseling, memorial services, and communal vigils are expected to bring the community together to mourn and begin the process of recovery. WDIV+1
- Churches in the wider Michigan region are reviewing their safety measures. Midland Daily News
- Interfaith groups, civic organizations, and mental health professionals are likely to mobilize support systems for survivors, families, and congregants.
Reflection & Broader Dialogue
The tragedy has already sparked national conversations:
- Religious intolerance and targeted violence toward faith communities
- Gun violence, mental health, and veterans’ trauma
- The boundaries between personal grievance and public extremism
- The responsibilities of media, social platforms, and community leaders in preventing hate incidents
Conclusion
The extended family’s public letter in the wake of the Grand Blanc Township church attack is a rare, somber acknowledgment of grief, confusion, and moral responsibility. Their words do not seek to explain or excuse—they confront the reality that some horrors defy rational understanding.
While investigations continue, and community healing will span months or years, the statement offers a human dimension to the tragedy: that in the shadows of loss, families wrestle with guilt, confusion, and heartbreak too.
In time, the hope is that voices from all sides—victims’ families, religious communities, neighbors, and even the attacker’s kin—can converge in empathy, clarity, and a resolve to prevent such violence from recurring.
