Who was Thomas Sanford? Unassuming man opened fire during church service

Thomas Jacob Sanford, a 40-year-old man from Burton, Michigan, is the perpetrator of the shooting in a church in Grand Blanc. During the service, he drove a car into the building, set it on fire, and started shooting. He died during the police operation, two other people were killed, and eight people were injured.

According to the New York Times, Sanford graduated from the local high school in 2004 and then served in the US Navy, including in Iraq. After his return, he worked as a handyman, clearing snow and doing landscaping work.

He had a son and was married to a former classmate. Neighbors described him as a quiet, helpful person who cleared streets for free in the winter. He enjoyed hunting and making plaster sculptures.

No one in his circle would have expected him to be capable of violence. According to acquaintances, he had not exhibited any unusual behavior recently.

The police have not yet disclosed his motive.

(lup)