Overview

• Police identified the attacker as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, who drove a pickup into the Latter-day Saints meetinghouse, opened fire on congregants, set the building ablaze, and was killed by responding officers.
• The FBI is leading the investigation while the ATF’s National Response Team analyzes burn patterns and debris to determine how the fire started at the heavily damaged site.
• Officials have described the violence as targeted, and the White House cited the attacker’s stated hatred of Mormons; investigators have not formally confirmed a motive as interviews and evidence collection continue.
• Families have publicly identified victims including Navy veteran John Bond and 78-year-old Craig Hayden, with verified GoFundMe pages raising tens of thousands of dollars and a centralized hub set up for trustworthy donations.
• Community support includes vigils, counseling services at the Genesys Banquet and Conference Center, and local donation efforts through ELGA Credit Union, as survivors recount lifesaving actions and expressions of forgiveness.