Father of Michigan Church Shooting Suspect Thomas Jacob Sanford Breaks Silence
A quiet town in Michigan was thrown into mourning after a devastating act of violence at a local church left four people dead. The suspect, Thomas Jacob Sanford, now faces intense scrutiny, and his own father has spoken out in shock.
Thomas Sanford’s father, Thomas Sanford Sr., shared his anguish on September 29, 2025. He described his family as being “completely in shock” and said they are struggling to comprehend the tragedy. He also extended condolences to the victims’ families and requested privacy as they cope with the loss and the aftermath of his son’s actions.
Authorities have labeled the incident as “targeted violence.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Reuben Coleman confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, but the suspect’s motive remains unclear. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer urged caution, warning that speculation could be harmful.
Even casual acquaintances noticed alarming changes in Thomas’s behavior leading up to the tragedy. Kris Johns, a Burton city council candidate, recounted a brief encounter with him a week prior to the attack. What started as a friendly conversation quickly turned disturbing when the suspect asked pointed questions about guns and members of the Mormon church. The tone of the discussion shifted to hostility, culminating in inflammatory remarks about the church.
To those who knew him personally, Thomas’s transformation is deeply unsettling. Friends and coworkers recall a man once cheerful and family-oriented, though with troubling prejudices beneath the surface. Two days before the attack, a near-accident involving the suspect nearly harmed a friend and her daughter, further highlighting the unpredictability of his behavior.
Former coworkers paint a starkly different image: Thomas was once lighthearted, loving, and devoted to his family. Garry Reynolds Jr., who worked alongside him at a Coca-Cola distribution center, remembered his kindness, including how he would allow people to enjoy photographs in his sunflower field simply to bring joy to others.
But this image of a friendly, caring man stands in stark contrast to the horrific events that unfolded at the church…