In brief
In the wake of a tragic shooting at a Michigan church where four people were killed and several others injured, a fundraiser organized by a Utah resident has raised over $275,000 for the family of the shooter, Thomas “Jake” Sanford. The campaign, seen as an act of compassion, reflects the broader community's response to violence. The organizer, Dave Butler, emphasized the importance of support and forgiveness during such crises, inspiring many in the Latter-day Saints faith to contribute.
LANSING, Mich. — In an unexpected show of compassion following a tragic attack on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, an online fundraiser has raised over $275,000 for the family of the shooter, Thomas “Jake” Sanford. Sanford, 40, carried out an attack that left four dead and eight injured, before being killed by police at the scene.Organizer Dave Butler, a Utah resident and a long-time member of the church, initiated the fundraiser on the platform GiveSendGo, believing that even the family of the shooter deserved care during such a tragedy. “We understand that there is a family that needs to be taken care of,” Butler said, reflecting sensitivity towards the pain inflicted by the act of violence.Butler's original goal was modest, aiming to raise just $10,000 to support Sanford’s family through the aftermath of the incident. The fundraiser quickly attracted over 7,000 contributors within just 48 hours, surpassing many donations intended for the victims of the attack, a response he characterized as a “whirlwind of love and forgiveness.” Many of those donating expressed their solidarity with the Sanford family, highlighting the principles of the Latter-day Saints faith that emphasize love and support in times of tragedy. “I feel like I’m responding to an attack against us in the right way. Not to get revenge, not to get justice,” Butler explained, underlining his perspective on healing.Authorities have yet to uncover Sanford’s motives, which friends suggest may stem from personal grievances related to his past relationships within the faith. Those attending the fundraiser shared messages of compassion, with one anonymous donor stating, “Another Latter-Day Saint here, praying for this family to feel loved and supported during these challenging times.”Despite the gravity of the event, Butler remains hopeful for healing, echoing sentiments of compassion and forgiveness articulated within their faith. “The event is awful. There’s no way around it,” he said. “I hope that healing can come soon and that this can be part of the experience of healing.”
