A MAN killed in the shooting at a Mormon church told his wife he loved her in one of their final moments together before he was gunned down.
Iraq war veteran Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, was named as the suspect behind Sunday’s attack that left four people dead.
John Bond, a 77-year-old Navy veteran, has been identified as one of the victims killed in the shooting at a Mormon church in Michigan[/caption]
He opened fire at worshippers as they gathered for a Sunday service at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, after ramming his truck into the building, according to cops.
Officers swooped onto the scene within 30 seconds of receiving a 911 call and Sanford was killed in the parking lot.
He was killed by cops moments after setting the church building alight.
One of the victims has been named as Navy veteran, John Bond, 77.
Bond had six children and was a grandfather to 10, as reported by the Fox affiliate WJBK-TV.
He leaves behind his widow, Joanne, and she opened up on what turned out to be one of the pair’s last conversations.
Bond spoke about how his shoes needed shining before telling his wife: “I love you.”
He wanted to call his wife before he died.
Bond, an avid golf fan, loved trains as well as spending time with his family, a GoFundMe tribute said.
The other victims have not yet been identified.
Two people died from gunshot wounds while the other two were killed in the fire.
The FBI said the attack on the church was targeted and investigators are continuing to probe the shooter’s motive.
More than 100 interviews have been carried out by the FBI.
Kash Patel, the FBI director, reportedly told White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt that Sanford hated Mormons.
Sanford is believed to have set the church alight before he was killed[/caption]
One mourner stands with a crucifix near the church[/caption]
Sanford reportedly told Kris Johns, a local political candidate, that Mormons believed they were above Jesus.
His ramblings also included a discussion about the anti-Christ. Sanford repeated the claim several times.
“It was very much standard anti-LDS talking points that you would find on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook,” Johns told the Detroit Free Press.
He also revealed Sanford sounded “unhinged” when making the claims about Mormons.
Sanford didn’t talk about politics or the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
American flags were found in his silver GMC truck, as were four improvised explosive devices.
The devices were reportedly made of fireworks and smoke canisters that had been stuck together.
SUSPECT’S MILITARY BACKGROUND
Sanford served in the Marines between June 2004 and June 2008.
He was deployed to Iraq as part of the Operation Iraqi Freedom mission between August 2007 and March 2008.
Sanford worked in combat logistics at North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune base before he left the forces.
During his time in the forces, he received a Global War on Terrorism service medal, a National defense service gong, and a Marine Corps Good Conduct medal.
Sanford’s family have since spoken out after he was identified as the perpetrator.
“I feel terrible about all the families that have been hurt and they’re under the same crap that I’m going under, that my wife and I are going under,” Sanford’s dad, also named Thomas Sanford, said.
The elder Sanford described what unfolded as a nightmare, per the Detroit Free Press.
He wouldn’t speculate on any potential motives, adding: “As far as why? Irrelevant. It happened.”
Cops have since confirmed that all the victims had been accounted for.
Investigators had been searching in the rubble.
The US has seen 327 mass shootings in 2025, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
And, what unfolded in Michigan horrified politicians from across the spectrum.
“Your grief is our grief,” Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer said.
US president Donald Trump described the shooting as “horrendous,” and vice president JD Vance labeled it an “awful situation.”
Investigators search what is left of the church building[/caption]
