Crime
Second victim of Grand Blanc Mormon Church shooting identified as 77-year-old John Bond
Grand Blanc Township, Michigan – Family members have confirmed that John Bond, 77, a U.S. Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam War, was among the four worshippers killed in Sunday morning’s mass shooting at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township.
First victim killed in Grand Blanc Mormon Church shooting identified as Craig Hayden
Bond, a lifelong Michigan resident, was remembered as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
His family shared that he was the proud patriarch of six children and ten grandchildren. In his final moments, relatives said, Bond expressed a desire to call his wife, underscoring the deep love and bond that defined his life.
A GoFundMe page has been established by his family to help cover funeral and memorial expenses, as well as to provide support for his wife in the difficult days ahead.
Witnesses described the horrifying scene inside the church on McCandlish Road. Brian Taylor, who was among the congregants, recalled that the service was interrupted around 10:25 a.m. by a loud crash and the sight of a crack in the chapel wall.
At first, churchgoers thought someone had accidentally struck the building with a vehicle and rushed outside to help. Moments later, they realized it was no accident.
Taylor recounted seeing a man exit a pickup truck armed with a rifle before gunfire erupted. Authorities have since identified the attacker as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, of Burton, Michigan.
Sanford, who lived roughly 15 minutes from the church, was a Marine veteran with deployments in Iraq.
According to law enforcement, he had a criminal history that included arrests for burglary and operating while intoxicated.
Investigators say Sanford rammed his truck into the front of the church, opened fire on congregants, and set the building on fire before being fatally shot by police.
Bond’s death has left his family and the broader community in mourning.
Loved ones describe him as a man of faith, honor, and resilience who lived his life with dedication to his country and family.
Crime
Woman Fatally Struck by Semi-Truck on Birmingham Interstate Exit Ramp Identified as Shontea Baker
Authorities have identified the woman who was killed earlier this week after being struck by a semi-truck on an interstate exit ramp in Birmingham.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office confirmed on Friday that the victim was Shontea Renee Baker, 40, a Birmingham resident.
The fatal incident occurred at approximately 10:26 a.m. Wednesday on the Arkadelphia Road exit ramp from Interstate 59/20.
Emergency responders pronounced Baker deceased at the scene at 10:42 a.m.
At this time, no further details regarding the circumstances of the crash have been released.
The Birmingham Police Department is continuing to investigate the incident.