Body camera video shows heroic efforts of responders at Grand Blanc Twp. church attack
By: Grand Blanc Township, MI - The community is still grappling with the tragic events at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Grand Blanc, where a man drove his truck into the church, shot four people to death, and started a fire in September.
Body camera footage from Genesee County Sheriff's deputies reveals the chaos emergency responders faced that Sunday morning. Despite initial fears of a second shooter, responders rushed to treat victims and rescue parishioners.
Deputies, crawling on hands and knees over broken glass, entered the smoke-filled church on McCandlish Road to search for victims. The shooter had been shot and killed, but the fire continued to burn.
"The 28th of September will last for the rest of my career for what I saw," said Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson.
Swanson recalled an encounter with a man covered in soot, desperately searching for his son. Fortunately, the man's son and family had escaped the church safely.
"It was surreal it really was, because I am hearing the radio traffic, I know there are victims already dead, I know there are others shot, you train for it, you prepare for it, but here it is happening, you go into business mode," Swanson said.
Outside the church, deputies trained as medics treated the wounded. Their quick response likely prevented more deaths, with four people dead and eight injured.
Four people died, and eight were injured in the incident. The swift actions of police and emergency responders in confronting the shooter and aiding victims were crucial.
"I saw the best of humanity, people dropping off water, doing what they could because they knew there was great pain," Swanson said. "I know we have division, but on that day, we also saw a great, great unity in this community."
The Michigan State Police has completed its investigation into the officer-involved shooting of the suspect, Thomas Sanford. The case will now be reviewed by the Genesee County Prosecutor's office.