Report: 'We don't have answers,' church shooting suspect's family says

Max Reinhart, The Detroit News on Sep 30, 2025

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DETROIT — The family of the man suspected in Sunday's fatal shooting and fire at a Grand Blanc Township church reportedly said they have "no answers" to explain what caused the 40-year-old Burton resident to carry out the devastating attack.

On Tuesday, extended family of Thomas Jacob "Jake" Sanford said in a statement to WDIV-TV that they cannot make sense of the incident, which left five people dead, including Sanford, and six others injured.

"Our hearts are broken for the victims, the survivors, and their families. The whole Grand Blanc community is hurting," his extended family told the Detroit TV station. "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."

The statement comes after the suspect's father, Thomas Sanford, told "NBC News" that the family is "completely in shock over this."

"We have no answers. We are asking for privacy as we grieve our loss and those of the others," Thomas Sanford said in the statement to NBC.

The Detroit News has reached out to Thomas Sanford for further comment.

According to a 2015 Lake Orion Review article, Jake Sanford had a child who suffered from congenital hyperinsulism, a life-threatening disorder that causes dangerously low blood sugar levels. The child's mother, Tella Sanford, has not returned a message from The News seeking comment.

Police say Jake Sanford drove his pickup truck into the side of the Grand Blanc Township Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around 10:25 a.m. Sunday. He then allegedly set the building on fire and fired several rounds, striking 10 people. Two people died from gunshots, officials said, and two bodies later were found in the rubble.

Authorities have not disclosed a motive, though the FBI characterized the incident as an act of "targeted violence." A Burton City Council candidate, Kris Johns, said Sanford espoused extreme anti-Mormon beliefs during a recent campaign visit.

Online fundraisers have been set up to support the families of three victims of Sunday's shooting and fire, including a 77-year-old Navy veteran who died in the attack. Officials with GoFundMe said that as of Tuesday afternoon, those are the only two fundraising efforts related to the incident that have been verified by the company as legitimate.

According to the extended family's statement to WDIV, their thoughts are with the victims:

"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."

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