A fundraising campaign to benefit the family of the individual who killed four and injured eight during a mass shooting at a Latter-Day Saints Church in Michigan is close to breaking $300,000.
The shooting, which occurred on Sunday, devastated the community in Grand Blanc Township. But it has also brought many together to support one another. A resident named David Butler thought would also be appropriate to remember the family of Thomas Jacob Sanford, the individual who carried out the attack.
From The New York Times:
The community of Grand Blanc Township, Mich., devastated by a deadly shooting on a Latter-day Saints congregation this week, has pulled together to help one another in the aftermath.
Neighborhood children handed out flowers and positive messages. Moms offered free hugs. And donations through multiple fund-raising accounts popped up to cover medical costs for the injured or funeral expenses for the deceased.
One of those donation pages was set up to benefit an unexpected recipient: the family of Thomas Jacob Sanford, the suspect who died in the shooting, which killed four people and injured eight others.
Butler, a Utah-based writer, told reporters he was concerned about the family and how they are dealing with the tragedy. He set up a GiveSendGo page to allow people to donate to Sanford’s wife and child.
I have set up a GiveSendGo to gather help for the widow and children of Thomas Sanford. See the replies for information.@WardRadioShow @ThoughtfulSaint
— D.J. Butler -- Sci-Fi / Fantasy Author and Editor (@DavidJohnButler) September 30, 2025
The incident occurred when Sanford drove his pickup truck into the building before opening fire with a rifle. He then set the building on fire. Police killed the assailant after they arrived on the scene.
Sanford was a 40-year-old Marine veteran of the Iraq War. Investigators found that he had a history of drug addiction, PTSD, and prior arrests. Some who interacted with him noted that he expressed animosity toward Mormons. While he was said to have a pro-Trump sign in his front yard, politics did not appear to play a part in motivating him to carry out the attack.
When atrocities like this occur in America, the conversation inevitably devolves into political debates. This one was no different. Democrats seized on the moment to exploit the victims to persuade the nation to support gun control legislation.
However, stories like these reveal what America truly is: a nation full of people willing to come together to work for the betterment of their communities. Unfortunately, these are not the stories that dominate the headlines after a mass shooting.
The fact that a man in a different state thought to support the family of the person who committed such an evil act shows how much good there is in this country. This is what should be getting more of the attention. Yes, tragedies are unavoidable. But it’s worth noting how these horrible incidents can bring out the best in people — especially those most affected by them.