On a tragic Sunday morning, the community of Grand Blanc, Michigan, was irrevocably shaken by an act of violence that claimed the life of Craig Douglas Hayden, a 72-year-old male. A beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Hayden was at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when a gunman initiated a horrific attack. The assailant, identified as 40-year-old Thomas 'Jake' Sanford, rammed his pickup truck into the church building before opening fire on the congregation and setting the
structure ablaze.
In the midst of the chaos and terror, Hayden was fatally wounded while reportedly coming to the aid of another injured church member. He was a man remembered for his quiet courage and kindness, qualities that were evident even in his final moments. His daughter, Lisa Louis, who was present at the scene, recounted a profound and chilling encounter with the shooter. As she knelt beside her dying father, she made eye contact with the gunman, a moment in which she described seeing his pain and feeling a sense of forgiveness.
The violent rampage resulted in the deaths of three other individuals, in addition to Hayden, and left eight others with injuries ranging from gunshot wounds to smoke inhalation. The victims' ages spanned from 6 to 78. The attack ended when law enforcement officers arrived and killed the suspect in a shootout. Investigators later learned that the shooter held grudges against the Mormon faith.
Craig Hayden had been married to his wife, Carol, for over 50 years and was a respected figure within his church and community. In the wake of this senseless tragedy, his family, including his four children and ten grandchildren, were left to mourn the loss of a man who had touched countless lives through his service and gentle nature. The community grieved alongside them, remembering a man of quiet strength who was tragically taken while trying to help others.
