By Martin Shwenk Leade

Copyright indiatimes

Thomas Jacob Stanford graduated from Goodrich High School in 2004 and was recognized among other veteran alumni

As many as four people were killed and eight others were wounded in a mass shooting at a chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan. The attack on Michigan Church is the latest in a series of mass shootings at places of worship in the US over the past two decades and came less than 24 hours after mass shooting in North Carolina killed three people. Police identified the Michigan Church shooter as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, who they said deliberately set the church on fire, sending smoke billowing from the building. Sanford was also shot dead in an exchange of fire with law enforcement officers.ALSO READ: Michigan Church shooter Thomas Jacob Sanford, a decorated US marine, had a turbulent personal life? Check detailsWho is Thomas Jacob Stanford?-Thomas Jacob Stanford, the 40-year-old suspect was a former US Marine from Burton, Michigan, who served in the military from 2004 to 2008, including in Iraq during the US occupation of the Middle Eastern country.-A Marine spokesperson told CNN that Thomas Jacob Stanford served as a sergeant and received several medals for his service, which lasted from 2004 to 2008. He was deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom for several months starting in the summer of 2007.Live Events-Thomas Jacob Stanford graduated from Goodrich High School in 2004 and was recognized among other veteran alumni, according to an archived page from the school’s website. -He earned several awards during his four years of service, including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.ALSO READ: Michigan Mormon Church shooting leaves multiple wounded hours after 3 killed in North Carolina horror-According to Fox News, Thomas Jacob Stanford left with the rank of sergeant and his last duty assignment was with the 2d Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2d Marine Logistics Group at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. -Social media accounts linked to Sanford’s family show that he was married with at least one child, a young son. According to a GoFundMe page from 2015, the family was in need of donations to help pay for the medical care of Sanford’s son who was born with a rare genetic disorder.-The newborn was diagnosed with Congenital Hyperinsulinism, a serious condition that necessitated an extended hospital stay and multiple surgeries to remove parts of the pancreas, according to updates shared on the family’s Facebook page detailing their challenging journey.ALSO READ: Michigan Church shooting: Dramatic video shows massive smoke engulfs sky, building on fire-The child’s illness also placed a financial strain on the family. A local news report noted that Sanford took leave from his job as a Coca-Cola truck driver to care for his son.-“Don’t ever take having healthy kids for granted” Sanford is quoted as saying in another article. “We are proud of our child. I spent four years in the Marine Corps and was in Iraq and this is still the most unique thing to deal with.”ALSO READ: Michigan Church shooting: Shooter crashed car and opened fire, podcaster shares disturbing video capturing horror-Thomas Jacob rammed a Chevy Silverado truck into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, before opening fire on the hundreds of worshipers gathered there, authorities said. -Sanford then allegedly set the building on fire before being killed by responding officers. Police said they believe Sanford used an accelerant, likely gasoline, to start the fire.-Social media posts also suggest Sanford was passionate about hunting and fishing, with photos showing him in camouflage alongside deer and displaying his catch from ice-fishing trips.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
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