Grand Blanc Township, MI – A Sunday morning service turned into a devastating tragedy when a gunman stormed the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, killing four people and injuring eight others. Authorities have identified one of the victims as Thelma Armstrong, a devoted mother and grandmother originally from Klerksdorp, South Africa.
Armstrong, who moved to the United States in 2019, was known in her hometown as a respected general manager at Foodzone. Family and friends describe her as a woman of deep kindness and faith, remembered for her generosity and love for her children and grandchildren. Loved ones say she lived with strength and compassion, always putting others first and leaving behind a lasting legacy of care and devotion.
The attack unfolded around 10:25 a.m. on Sunday when authorities say 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford of Burton, Michigan, crashed his pickup truck into the church entrance. Armed with an assault-style rifle, he opened fire on congregants before setting the building ablaze. The fire spread quickly, leading to the collapse of the church roof and leaving the building a total loss. Rescue crews continue to search the debris to ensure no further victims are unaccounted for.
Sanford, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq from 2004 to 2008, was killed in an exchange of gunfire with police. Records describe him as a mechanic and vehicle recovery operator, as well as a husband and father. However, he had previous arrests for burglary and driving under the influence. Investigators from the FBI, ATF, and local law enforcement are now working together to determine what led him to carry out the attack.
Armstrong’s death has left her family in both the United States and South Africa heartbroken. Her children and grandchildren described her as the heart of their family and said her absence leaves a void that can never be filled. Relatives have launched an appeal for support to cover funeral and memorial costs, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of compassion shown in the wake of the tragedy.
The Michigan attack occurred less than 24 hours after another mass shooting in Southport, North Carolina, where a Marine veteran opened fire at a bar, killing three people and injuring eight others. The two incidents, both involving Iraq War veterans, have raised serious questions as federal investigators review possible links and the broader implications of such violence.