Gunman ranted against Mormons before deadly church assault

[Jilly_in_VA]

The former Marine who police say attacked and burned a central Michigan house of worship, killing four, had ranted against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a week before his deadly assault, a local politician told the Detroit Free Press.

Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, went on a tirade against the church and called Mormons "the Antichrist," Kris Johns, a candidate for the local Burton City Council, told the newspaper, part of the USA TODAY Network. Johns was canvassing when he knocked on Sanford's door and spoke with the ex-Marine days before the deadly rampage.

“It was very much standard anti-LDS talking points that you would find on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook," said Johns, adding that he has spoken with local police and the FBI about his encounter with Sanford.

Investigators recovered improvised explosive devices after the attack, said James Deir, special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Detroit field office told reporters. Deir did not say where the devices were recovered.

Officials at the news conference, including Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and federal, state and local law enforcement, did not address Sanford's reported comments.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/09/29/michigan-church-attack-shooting-fire-live-updates/86415331007/

So he was, IMO, either a disaffected Mormon turned, Talibangelical, or a straight up Talibangelical, which is what I said yesterday before I read this. I have no particular love for Mormons, but they are generally peaceable (except the FLDS) and deserve to worship in peace.