Authorities have identified the first victim of Sunday’s deadly attack at a Latter-day Saints church in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan.
John Bond, a 77-year-old U.S. Navy veteran, was among four people killed when a gunman drove a truck into the church building and opened fire on worshippers, as reported by The New York Post.
John Bond, a Navy veteran and loving husband, father and grandfather, was identified by family as one of the victims who was shot and killed while attending Sunday service at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc. https://t.co/LBpsLOQg1N
— WXYZ Detroit (@wxyzdetroit) September 30, 2025
Bond’s family confirmed his death in a GoFundMe fundraiser, describing him as a “loving husband, father, and grandfather.” Bond had six children and ten grandchildren, according to Fox 2 Detroit.
His loved ones said he served nine years in the Navy and enjoyed golf, trains, and time with his family.
His wife, Joanne, recounted her husband’s final words to her, telling the outlet that he said “I love you” and mentioned needing his shoes shined shortly before he was fatally shot.
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The gunman was identified as 38-year-old Thomas Sanford, a former U.S. Marine who served in Iraq between 2004 and 2008. Police said Sanford rammed his Chevy Silverado into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before firing on congregants.
Iraq War veteran Thomas Sanford ID’d as gunman who attacked Grand Blanc LDS church, killing 2 and setting it ablaze https://t.co/QVHw3xol9W pic.twitter.com/yiJZgVYBBx
— New York Post (@nypost) September 28, 2025
Two victims were fatally shot and two others were found dead inside the burned church after Sanford set it on fire. Eight additional victims, including children, were wounded in the attack.
Authorities said officers responded to the first 911 call within 30 seconds and engaged Sanford in a shootout that left him dead at the scene.
Sanford’s family spoke with multiple outlets following the incident. His father told NBC News that the family was “completely in shock” and had “no answers.”
In an interview with the Detroit Free Press, Sanford’s father recalled that his son was “under fire” once during his deployment in Iraq but otherwise “most of the time he was fine.”
He added, “The only thing I can say is that it was my son that did it. As far as why? Irrelevant. It happened. We’re dealing with it. It’s been a nightmare.”
Dave Butler started a fundraiser for the family of the LDS Church shooter. It’s a great opportunity to help a grieving family with a young son that had serious medical needs.
Please help pass the word, God Bless.https://t.co/rYBIX1JUTN
— Luke Hanson (@LukeFHan) September 30, 2025
Investigators have not yet determined a motive but are reviewing possible connections to Sanford’s resentment toward the Latter-day Saints church.
Just days before the attack, Sanford reportedly told a city council candidate in his hometown that he believed the Mormon church was “the antichrist.”
Authorities continue to investigate the shooting, fire, and circumstances surrounding Sanford’s actions.
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