Disturbing Pattern Evolves From Latest String of Mass Shootings
A pair of mass shootings and horrendous attacks that occurred over the past week – one in North Carolina and the other in Michigan – appear to have one thing in common: Both suspects are former members of the U.S. military.
Police said a lone gunman killed three people and wounded five others late Saturday at a crowded waterfront bar in North Carolina in what investigators described as a “highly premeditated” attack.
Nigel Max Edge, 40, was detained by the U.S. Coast Guard and, on Sunday morning, charged with three counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted murder, and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon. Court records list no attorney for Edge, and jail records show he remains held without bond, NBC News reports.
“He acted alone,” Southport Police Chief Todd Coring told reporters Sunday morning. “This is highly premeditated, from what we’re seeing at this time, and we feel there are no other threats to our community.”
Court records show Edge legally changed his name in 2023 from Sean William Debevoise.
Coring told reporters that Edge is a “self-described” combat veteran who said he was wounded in the line of duty and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Military records indicate he served in the Marines from September 2003 to June 2009, reaching the rank of sergeant and deploying twice as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The records list a Purple Heart, a Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, a Combat Action Ribbon for Iraq and an Iraq Campaign Medal with two bronze stars among his awards.
Meanwhile, police identified the gunman who killed at least four people and injured several others during Sunday services at a Michigan Latter-day Saints church — and who then set the building ablaze — as a 40-year-old Marine veteran who served in Iraq.
Police identified Thomas Jacob Sanford as the man who drove a Chevy Silverado into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, before opening fire on the hundreds of worshippers gathered inside.
Authorities say Sanford then set the building ablaze — allegedly using an accelerant, likely gasoline — and was killed by responding officers.
At a brief news conference, authorities identified Thomas Jacob Sanford of Burton, Michigan, as the lone suspect in the attack.
The Marine Corps told Fox News Sanford served from 2004 to 2008 as an organizational automotive mechanic and vehicle recovery operator and deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Military records show he received several awards during his service, including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
He left the Marines with the rank of sergeant; his final assignment was with the 2d Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2d Marine Logistics Group at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Police sources told Fox Detroit that Sanford was married and had a son.
A 2015 GoFundMe campaign raised more than $3,000 to help the couple’s son — now 10 — who was reported to have congenital hyperinsulinism, a rare disorder in which the pancreas produces excess insulin, the New York Post reported.
Sunday’s shooting began at around 10:30 a.m., reports said.
“He drove his vehicle through the front doors of the church,” Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye told reporters of what unfolded. “He then exited his vehicle, firing several rounds at individuals within the church. Ten gunshot victims have been transported to local hospitals at this time, including one who has died.”
Two responding officers confronted Sanford and exchanged gunfire with him, killing him, the police chief said. Officials said Sanford was armed with what appeared to be a rifle.
Authorities initially reported one fatality; hours later a second victim died at a hospital. Late Sunday, investigators recovered two additional bodies from the burned-out church, and the search for more victims remained ongoing.
