Michigan church attacker had grudge against Mormons, say friends

Thomas Jacob Sanford, who is believed to have attacked the Mormon church in American state Michigan on Sunday, held a grudge against Mormons and called members of the community ‘anti-Christ’.

Mormons identify themselves as Christians. However, as their beliefs about the faith differ from some Christian sects like Catholicism, Protestantism, and Evangelicalism, many Christians do not recognise Mormons as Christians. Apparently, Sanford was one such person.

Sanford had a Mormon girlfriend and had a painful break-up, which instilled in him a grudge towards the community, Peter Tersigni, who lives in Michigan and called Sanford his best friend, told The New York Times.

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Sanford alleged rammed a vehicle into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, on Sunday morning, and then opened fire at worshippers. He then set the building on fire. He was killed in a confrontation with the police.

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In the attack, at least four people were killed and eight were wounded. The police said that at least two persons died from gunshots.

Sanford ranted against Mormons often, recall friends

During his time at Utah, Sanford fell in love with a Mormon woman and they were together, but then they broke up and he developed a grudge against the community, according to his friends.

Sanford’s friends told The Times that he was so much obsessed with his hatred for Mormons that he would not stop ranting about them even at weddings.

Peter’s twin brother, Francis, who was also friends with Sanford, recalled that he went on and on about Mormons at his wedding.

“He got this whole fascination with Mormons, and they are the Antichrist, and they are going to take over the world. All he could talk about was Mormons [at Peter’s wedding]. I was like, dude, nobody wants to hear about this stuff,” said Francis.

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Separately, 44-year-old Kris Johns, who is running for a seat on the Burton City Council, told the Detroit Free Press that he met Sanford when he was canvassing on September 22. He said the conversation turned to Mormons and Sanford launched into a rant.

Sanford called Mormons anti-Christ in the conversation.

“It was very much standard anti-LDS talking points that you would find on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook. I just didn’t know what the next question was going to be,” said Johns, referring to the Mormon church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).