LANSING, Mich. (AP) — An online fundraiser for the family members of the man who opened fire in a Michigan church and set it ablaze has raised over $275,000 as of Thursday. The organizer, Dave Butler, described the response as a “whirlwind of love and forgiveness.”
On a recent Sunday, Thomas “Jake” Sanford, 40, drove his pickup truck into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Grand Blanc Township, near Flint, where he shot at the congregation and set the building on fire. The violent attack resulted in the deaths of four people and injured eight others before Sanford was killed by the police at the scene.
Witnessing the aftermath of the attack on news coverage, Butler, a lifelong member of the church from Utah, felt compelled to help. He set up the fundraiser on GiveSendGo the day after the tragedy, recognizing that Sanford’s family also deserves support. “We understand that there is a family that needs to be taken care of,” he stated.
Butler initially aimed to raise $10,000 to assist the Sanford family, but the fundraiser quickly attracted overwhelming attention, surpassing expectations. More than 7,000 donors contributed within just 48 hours, many of whom expressed their grief and solidarity through messages.
Authorities have yet to disclose what motivated Sanford's violent actions. Friends have suggested that he harbored animosity towards the church, having previously lived in Utah, where he dated a church member.
Butler explained that the contributions to the fundraiser reflect a community responding to tragedy with love, avoiding themes of revenge or blame. He noted several aspects of his faith that inspire such responses, including the Christian values of forgiveness. Many contributors echoed sentiments of support: one donor wrote, “Another Latter-Day Saint here, praying for this family to feel loved and supported during these challenging times.”
In a statement made through their attorney, the Sanford family expressed their sorrow for the victims of the attack, which has left a deep mark on the community. Additional sentiments were echoed by witnesses, such as Lisa Louis, who forgave the shooter almost instantly after witnessing the attack.
Butler remains in contact with the Sanford family, hopeful for healing. He emphasized, “The event is awful. There’s no way around it. I hope that healing can come soon and that this can be part of the experience of healing.”
On a recent Sunday, Thomas “Jake” Sanford, 40, drove his pickup truck into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Grand Blanc Township, near Flint, where he shot at the congregation and set the building on fire. The violent attack resulted in the deaths of four people and injured eight others before Sanford was killed by the police at the scene.
Witnessing the aftermath of the attack on news coverage, Butler, a lifelong member of the church from Utah, felt compelled to help. He set up the fundraiser on GiveSendGo the day after the tragedy, recognizing that Sanford’s family also deserves support. “We understand that there is a family that needs to be taken care of,” he stated.
Butler initially aimed to raise $10,000 to assist the Sanford family, but the fundraiser quickly attracted overwhelming attention, surpassing expectations. More than 7,000 donors contributed within just 48 hours, many of whom expressed their grief and solidarity through messages.
Authorities have yet to disclose what motivated Sanford's violent actions. Friends have suggested that he harbored animosity towards the church, having previously lived in Utah, where he dated a church member.
Butler explained that the contributions to the fundraiser reflect a community responding to tragedy with love, avoiding themes of revenge or blame. He noted several aspects of his faith that inspire such responses, including the Christian values of forgiveness. Many contributors echoed sentiments of support: one donor wrote, “Another Latter-Day Saint here, praying for this family to feel loved and supported during these challenging times.”
In a statement made through their attorney, the Sanford family expressed their sorrow for the victims of the attack, which has left a deep mark on the community. Additional sentiments were echoed by witnesses, such as Lisa Louis, who forgave the shooter almost instantly after witnessing the attack.
Butler remains in contact with the Sanford family, hopeful for healing. He emphasized, “The event is awful. There’s no way around it. I hope that healing can come soon and that this can be part of the experience of healing.”
