Ex-Marine Kills 4 — Mormons Help His Family
Joseph Smith's First Vision in a stained glass triptych, originally placed in the Los Angeles Adams Ward Chapel in 1913 until 1959 when the chapel was razed. The window is now kept in the Church History Museum in Salt Lake City, Utah. Photo courtesy of NateBergin under CC BY 4.0.
When a gunman opened fire at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, the community was left reeling from the tragedy. Four people were reportedly killed and eight others wounded, with the shooter dying in a police shootout. But amid the shock and sorrow, a remarkable story of faith and compassion has emerged. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have rallied to support the family of the shooter, raising significant funds to help his widow and child through the difficult aftermath.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — often informally referred to as the Mormon church — has millions of members worldwide.
A Community Responds With Compassion
The fundraising effort began shortly after the attack, when David Butler, a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, launched a GiveSendGo campaign to assist the family of Thomas Jacob Sanford, the shooter. Butler reportedly described himself as an ordinary church member with no personal ties to Sanford or the Grand Blanc area. His goal was to provide financial relief to Sanford's surviving wife and child, who face significant hardship following the violent events. "One of the families that suffered a terrible loss on that day was the family of Thomas Jacob Sanford, the shooter. Sanford leaves behind a wife and children who must be grieving," Butler wrote, as reported by Fox News.
Buter quoted the Bible (James 1:27) writing, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction," as reported by the New York Post.
As of the most recent update, the campaign has raised about $275,000 from donors across multiple states, as reported by the Associated Press. The funds are intended to cover daily living expenses, ongoing medical treatment, and to bring some stability to a family grappling with grief and upheaval.
Butler highlighted the dual challenges facing the family: the immediate trauma of the shooting and the ongoing medical care required for one of Sanford's sons, who has serious health issues. The family had previously struggled to raise adequate funds for the boy's treatment, making this recent outpouring particularly significant. Butler expressed hope that the donations would help ease the financial burden and "create some stability in a time of heartbreak and upheaval," as reported by Fox News.
Donors Speak of Healing, Not Vengeance
The response from the community has transcended mere fundraising. Many donors left messages expressing a desire to counter violence with kindness and compassion rather than anger. According to the New York Post, one noted the hope that the family's grief is met with support from God and others in the community saying, "I can't imagine your family's grief at this time. May you know that God and others are mindful of those left behind in the wake of this terrible tragedy." Another donor shared that their contribution was motivated by a personal need to find "peace in Christ" in the wake of the tragedy, a reflection of how this campaign has become a source of healing for donors as well.
This compassionate reaction contrasts with the grim facts of the shooting and highlights the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints community's emphasis on empathy even in the face of horror.
The Tragic Events and Sanford's Background
The attack unfolded on a Sunday morning, when Sanford drove a pickup truck into the church and subsequently opened fire on congregants gathered for services. After the shooting, he set fire to the church, destroying the building. Responding police officers engaged Sanford in a shootout that ended with his death.
Sanford was a 40-year-old former U.S. Marine who had served multiple tours in Iraq. Friends and acquaintances described him as having developed a strong animosity toward the Mormon faith in the years before the attack. One city council candidate recalled that when he met Sanford days before the incident, Sanford became "unhinged" while discussing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, expressing the belief that Mormons were the Antichrist, as reported by the Associated Press. Sanford's hostility reportedly began after a broken relationship with a Mormon woman he had dated during a stay in Utah.
According to the New York Post, friends also recounted hearing Sanford voice fears that Mormons would "take over the world," a fixation that seemed to consume him.
Family's Previous Medical Struggles
Medical challenges have long been a part of the Sanford family's story. In 2015, Sanford's infant son reportedly received specialized treatment for hyperinsulinism, a rare condition involving abnormally high insulin levels. The child underwent advanced care at Cook Children's Health Care System in Texas, where the family viewed the doctor's help as a "sign from heaven" during a difficult period, as reported by the Associated Press.
Before the shooting, the family reportedly had limited success in raising funds to cover the son's ongoing medical expenses. The recent fundraising campaign aims to provide more sustainable support for the child's care and assist the family with the sudden financial strain brought on by the shooting's aftermath.
Investigation Is Ongoing
Authorities continue to investigate the attack and Sanford's motives. Genesee County prosecutors have reportedly executed warrants to search Sanford's vehicles, home, and electronic devices as part of the ongoing investigation. The investigation is ongoing.
An Enduring Story of Faith and Unity
This developing story shows a community choosing compassion over retribution, highlighting a faith-driven response that turns personal tragedy into collective healing. The fundraising, which has now raised a reported $275,000, stands as a testament to the power of empathy within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
While the investigation into the attack continues, the immediate focus remains on supporting the Sanford family through this painful chapter. The campaign reflects a desire to foster understanding, care, and unity in difficult times, emphasizing the church community's dedication to providing help even when confronted with unspeakable violence.
As donations continue and more voices join in expressing sympathy for the family, this chapter of the Grand Blanc shooting reveals an unexpected dimension of grace — one defined not by vengeance but by healing.
Readers interested in the latest updates can follow the campaign to see how faith and community support evolve in the weeks ahead.
References: Mormon church members raise over $150K for family of Michigan church shooter | Mormons raise $180K for family of Michigan LDS church shooter Thomas Sanford | Ex-Marine in Michigan church shooting noted for having animosity toward Mormons | Fundraiser for family of Michigan church gunman raises more than $275,000
