Family friends of the suspected shooter, Thomas Jacob Sanford, are struggling to comprehend the shocking events that unfolded at a Grand Blanc Township church, leaving the community shattered and searching for answers.

They say they were with Jake just 48 hours before the tragedy, spending time together, laughing, and talking as they always had.

Nothing, they insist, could have prepared them for the devastating news that followed.

Outside the church, now surrounded by police tape and flickering candles from grieving residents, we caught up with one of those friends and her daughter.

Their faces reflected disbelief, heartbreak, and confusion.

They described Jake as a proud Marine, a veteran of the Iraq War who had returned home carrying invisible scars.

For years, they said, he had battled PTSD, struggling to find peace after witnessing the horrors of combat.

Although he had good days filled with hope and connection, the dark days were harder to manage.

According to his friends, Jake had recently seemed restless, distracted, and on edge.

In the days leading up to the shooting, he reportedly spoke about feeling lost and misunderstood, but never once hinted at violence.

They said his behavior 48 hours before the tragedy was erratic, filled with nervous energy and bursts of frustration, but nothing alarming enough to predict what was to come.

“He was talking a lot, moving around, seemed like something was bothering him,” one friend recalled, her voice trembling.

“But Jake was Jake — we thought he just needed space.”

Now, with the weight of hindsight pressing on their hearts, those same friends are haunted by questions they cannot answer.

Could they have done something?

Could they have stopped him before it was too late?

Authorities have confirmed that the Grand Blanc Township church shooting left several injured and others deeply traumatized.

The investigation is still ongoing, with police searching for clues to understand Sanford’s motive and mental state at the time of the attack.

Officials have been careful not to jump to conclusions, acknowledging Sanford’s history as a decorated veteran and the complexity of his struggles with PTSD.

Mental health experts say that while PTSD can lead to emotional instability, acts of violence like this are rare and usually fueled by multiple factors — isolation, untreated trauma, and lack of support.

Community leaders are now urging compassion alongside accountability, reminding the public that this tragedy is both a crime and a cry for help from someone who may have been suffering in silence.

Meanwhile, outside the church, families continue to gather, lighting candles, praying, and holding each other close.

Many knew Jake personally.

They remember him as a man who once smiled freely, who volunteered at community events, and who loved talking about his time in the Marines — both the pride he felt and the pain he carried.

They say the Jake they knew was kind, loyal, and protective.

The man who opened fire inside a church feels like a stranger.

As investigators comb through his home, social media accounts, and recent communications, friends and neighbors are left reeling, trying to reconcile the man they knew with the tragedy he caused.

One close friend shared through tears, “He was a soldier. He served his country. But I think the war never ended for him.”

In the wake of the shooting, discussions about mental health among veterans have resurfaced across Michigan, with advocates calling for stronger support systems, better access to therapy, and early intervention programs for those showing signs of distress.

For now, though, the community’s focus remains on healing — for the victims, their families, and even for the broken soul of the man they once called Jake.

Grand Blanc Township, known for its quiet streets and close-knit neighborhoods, has been transformed into a place of mourning and reflection.

Residents are coming together in vigils and prayer circles, determined to honor the victims while seeking understanding in the midst of unimaginable pain.

As the investigation continues, one truth remains clear: the echoes of this tragedy will linger far beyond the church walls, touching every life that crossed paths with Thomas Jacob Sanford.

His friends, standing outside the church, look at the building where their memories now collide with heartbreak.

They whisper his name, searching for meaning, knowing that the man they once loved is now forever tied to a moment of unspeakable loss.

And as they walk away, the questions remain — what signs were missed, and could compassion and care have changed the outcome before it was too late?