GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A tragic shooting at a local church this past weekend claimed the life of 72-year-old Craig Hayden, who was fatally shot while attempting to help another worshipper escape. Family members recounted the harrowing details of the incident, revealing the courage both he and his daughter displayed that day.
Hayden’s daughter-in-law, Jennifer, noted that he sacrificed his life for another individual, emphasizing that “someone else lived because of his actions.” In a deeply personal letter shared through a family-funded initiative to support Hayden’s widow, the daughter—who has chosen to remain anonymous for privacy reasons—recalled a harrowing moment when she confronted the gunman directly. She described making eye contact with the assailant, stating that it felt as if she could see into his very soul.
The shooting unfolded at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, resulting in four fatalities and multiple injuries. The assailant, identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, initially drove into the church’s premises before opening fire with an assault rifle. After the chaos, Sanford allegedly set fire to the church before law enforcement responded, ultimately killing him.
Investigations into the motives behind Sanford’s violence are ongoing. Other community members noted unsettling interactions with him prior to the shooting, including remarks where he referred to Latter-day Saints church members as “the Antichrist.” A local city council candidate recounted a conversation with Sanford only days before the tragedy, describing the man as unsettling but not outwardly aggressive.
In the wake of the incident, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints extended condolences to the families affected by the shooting. They expressed their sorrow alongside global reflections on similar tragedies and the need for compassion in the face of such violence.
The daughter of Craig Hayden shared her profound emotional response during her encounter with the shooter, describing a deep sense of sorrow when looking into his eyes. “I saw pain. He felt lost. It was a feeling I couldn’t ignore; I forgave him right there,” she wrote. Through the act of forgiveness, she urged others to confront their own feelings of hate, urging that collective effort is required to combat suffering in the community.
Her heartfelt message called for unity against intolerance, asserting that when anger is extinguished, hate cannot thrive. “If we can stop the hate, we can stop the suffering. But it takes all of us,” she emphasized.
As the investigation continues, the community grapples with the aftermath of this violence, reflecting on the personal stories of bravery and the urgent need for compassion amidst the chaos.