Mich. Governor Calls Officers who Stopped Church Shooter Heroes During State of the State

Two officers who confronted a Grand Blanc church gunman during a rampage in September were called heroes during the Michigan State of the State address by the governor Wednesday night.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pointed out Department of Natural Resources Officer Luke Robare and Grand Blanc Township Officer Jason Carpentier, both of whom sat in the audience during her speech at the state Capitol in Lansing.

"And a big thanks to the Michiganders who keep us all safe … local first responders, the Michigan State Police, the Michigan National Guard, and our DNR Conservation Officers," Whitmer said.  

"This includes two heroes who responded to the shooting at a church in Grand Blanc last September. Two men who didn’t know each other, but acted quickly to protect their neighbors... because that’s what Michiganders do."  

Authorities say Thomas "Jake" Sanford of Burton was accused of driving his truck into the Church of Latter Day Saints in Grand Blanc Township on Sept. 28 during a Sunday morning service and shot 10 people, two fatally, then set the building on fire.

Robare was on patrol in Grand Blanc Township when he heard his radio alert about an active shooter, authorities have said. He saw Sanford enter the church with a gun and a gas can, and shouted at him to stop to no avail.

Robare moved to another church entrance to confront the guman and heard gunshots and screaming. He followed the sounds of more gunshots from the opposite side of the building, prosecutors said.

He found Sanford in the parking lot and fired two shots and missed as he hid behind a vehicle. Sanford came from behind the vehicle with his gun raised above his head and yelled “Shoot me,” ignoring Robare’s commands to put the weapon down. The officer shot and struck Sanford at the same time as Carpentier as the Grand Blanc officer approached Sanford from another side. Sanford died in the shooting.

The officers, whose named were not released at the time, were placed on paid administrative leave during an investigation by the Michigan State Police.

They are credited with stopping the gunman from killing more people.

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