FBI believes Michigan church shooter ‘hated people of Mormon faith’, says Karoline Leavitt

WASHINGTON, DC: The White House weighed in on Monday, September 29, on the shocking attack at a Michigan Mormon church, as press secretary Karoline Leavitt shared an update on the FBI’s investigation.

Authorities identified Thomas Jacob Sanford as the individual who drove a Chevy Silverado into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township on Sunday before opening fire on hundreds of worshipers inside.

Karoline Leavitt reveals new details in Michigan church attack

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt provided new details about the FBI’s ongoing investigation into the Michigan church attack.

After speaking with FBI Director Kash Patel, Leavitt said, “Based on my conversations with the FBI director, all they know right now is this was an individual who hated people of the Mormon faith, and they are trying to understand more about this, how premeditated it was, how much planning went into it, whether he left a note."

She emphasized that these critical questions remain unanswered for now, but assured that the FBI is actively pursuing leads.

“All of those questions have yet to be answered, but certainly will be answered by the FBI. They are currently executing multiple search warrants at the residences and the family homes of this perpetrator to try to get to the bottom of why he would commit such an act of evil,” Leavitt noted. 

The White House press secretary praised local law enforcement for their swift and decisive action, saying, “Local police officers were on the ground of this scene within minutes and neutralized this shooter, no doubt saving lives, and they should be commended. Our police officers are heroes and this president will always respect them and support them.”

She also confirmed that Sanford was a member of the local community and a former US Marine who had served in Iraq.

“His family is cooperating with the FBI. And so they are currently trying to dig in and get to the bottom of why he committed – there's just this heinous act of violence,” Leavitt informed. She concluded by referencing President Donald Trump’s statement on Truth Social, saying the incident “appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians.”

Is the Michigan church shooting linked to LDS leader Russell M Nelson?

Michigan authorities investigating Sunday’s deadly church shooting are exploring a possible connection to the death of global LDS Church leader, President Russell M Nelson, who died just one day earlier.

While the investigation remains in its early stages, officials are focusing on the gunman’s motives, any potential threats to the congregation, and the significance, if any, of the attack occurring less than 24 hours after Nelson’s death. 

Investigators are currently examining the suspect’s background, digital communications, and any previous interactions he may have had with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or its members.

Sanford was shot and killed at the scene after exchanging gunfire with responding officers, including one from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Nelson, the 101-year-old leader of the LDS Church, died on Saturday night at his home in Salt Lake City, surrounded by family. Revered worldwide for his decades of service, Nelson leaves behind his wife, Wendy, eight of his ten children, 57 grandchildren, and 167 great-grandchildren.

Before his full-time church service, Nelson was a trailblazing heart surgeon, performing Utah’s first open-heart surgery in 1955 and helping develop the artificial heart-lung machine. He held leadership roles in several medical associations before dedicating himself to church leadership in 1984. Church officials mourned his death, describing him as a visionary who profoundly shaped the faith’s global direction.

As of now, law enforcement has not confirmed any direct link between Nelson’s death and the church shooting. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, and further details will be released as more evidence comes to light.