Thomas Jacob Sanford served in Iraq and won many medals before leaving the US Marine Corps in 2008; here is what his responsibilities were while serving the country.
The police identified the man who allegedly opened fire during a service at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, a former US Marine. The church shooting at the township located about 50 miles north of Detroit has shocked the United States and the law enforcement are yet to zero in on the reason behind the heinous act that left four church members dead before the gunman was neutralised.
Who is Thomas Jacob Sanford?
The suspected gunman, who was killed reportedly about eight minutes after the church shooting in an exchange of fire with the police, was a native to Michigan’s Burton. He is said to have driven a truck into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Multiple media reports claimed that he was a former Marine, further explaining his expertise with a rifle. After high school, Sanford served four years in the Marines between 2004 and 2008 and his tenure included a tour to Iraq. He was sent to the Arab country as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was better than most as an automotive mechanic and vehicle recovery operator. He had earned the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal in the four years, Fox News reportedly said. The Marine Corps reportedly confirmed with the news channel that the late accused did serve with them in the aforementioned time period.
Thomas Jacob Sanford last outing as a Marine was with the 2nd Marine Logistics Group in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. By the time he had left the service branch, he had become a Sergeant by rank, the report said.
Who is a Marine Vehicle Recovery Operator?
A Marine Corps Vehicle Recovery Operator, or simply MOS 3536, is entrusted with the job of recovering and, if needed, towing and rigging disabled or destroyed tactical wheeled vehicles. They are expected to operate heavy wrecker equipment and carry out the maintenance of military vehicles on battlefields as well as at camps. They also provide recovery support to sustain unit mobility and logistics. They always keep recovery tools and maintain equipment so the wrecker and recovery systems remain serviceable.
They are key in reducing logistic losses. Swift action by MOS 3536 can prevent mission delay, protect equipment, and even reduce the vulnerability of units on the move.
Michigan Church shooting
Sanford reportedly crashed his vehicle through the front doors of a Michigan church, opened fire with an assault rifle, and set the church ablaze, killing at least four people and wounding at least eight others before dying in a shootout with police.
An official with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said investigators believe the shooter used an accelerant – probably gasoline – to fuel the fire, and that some explosives were recovered. The FBI said it was leading the investigation of what it considered “an act of targeted violence.”