FBI says shooter in deadly Michigan church attack was motivated by hatred toward the Mormon faith

Emergency services responded to a shooting and fire at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Michigan on September 28, 2025. Bill Pugliano/Getty Images Lansing, Michigan AP —

The former Marine who opened fire in a Michigan church and set it ablaze in September was motivated by “anti-religious beliefs” against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the FBI confirmed Friday.

While friends of the gunman in the deadly shooting have said he harbored hatred for what is widely known as the Mormon church, the FBI had previously declined to specify the motivation behind the attack that left four people dead and the church burned to the ground, except to say it was a “targeted” act of violence.

The gunman, Thomas Jacob Sanford , 40, was killed by law enforce