The Michigan church shooting suspect has been identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, an Iraq War veteran.
According to Sky News, a mass shooting and fire at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc killed five people and injured at least eight others on Sunday, September 28.
As per police, the 40-year-old suspect from Burton, Michigan, opened fire on congregants of the Mormon church, about 50 miles north of Detroit, at around 10:25 am local time and allegedly set fire to the church.
People in the church bravely put their lives at risk to protect children in the church.
Grand Blanc Township Chief William Renye said, “They were shielding the children who were also present within the church, moving them to safety. Just extreme courage."
Authorities said that the gunman, Sanford, was killed during an exchange of fire with police. However, his motive behind the attack is not known yet.
Who is Thomas Jacob Sanford?
A Marine Corps spokesperson told CNN that Thomas Jacob Sanford served in the Marines from June 2004 to June 2008 as a sergeant and also received numerous medals during his service.
Sanford was deployed in Iraq for several months during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007.
He graduated from Goodrich High School in 2004, and as per his social media accounts linked to Sanford’s family, he was married with at least one young son with a rare genetic disorder called congenital hyperinsulinism.
Sanford was "neutralised" by a Department of Natural Resources officer in the back parking lot of the church within eight minutes after the attack.
