Fundraiser for family of Michigan church gunman raises more than $275,000

Lansing, Michigan – An online fundraising for the members of the human family who opened fire in a church in Michigan and set it on fire collected more than $ 275,000 in what the organizer described as a “whirlwind of love and forgiveness”.

Sunday, Thomas “Jake” Sanford, 40, led his van to the church of Jesus Christ of the Chapel of the Holy Days in the canton of Grand Blanc, near Flint, fired on the congregation and set fire to the building.

The attack killed four people, injured eight others and left the church destroyed. The police killed Sanford on the scene.

Dave Butler, a resident of the Utah and a life member of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, watched the media coverage of the attack for hours. The next day, he considered that the Sanford family was also the victim of the attack.

“We understand that there is a family that must be taken care of,” he said.

Butler set up fundraising on the GiveDgo platform on Tuesday morning. He has taken advantage of the media ties of his participation in podcasts on the faith of the Holy Days to help promote fundraising.

Donations flocked and the effort quickly attracted attention, stressing that many people knew the efforts much more to collect online funds for mass fire victims in the United States

The authorities have not discussed the reason for Sanford for the attack this week, although they described it as an “act of targeted violence” by Sanford alone. Long -time friends have said that he had expressed his hatred towards the widely known faith under the name of the Mormon church after having lived in Utah, where he came out but then broke with a woman who was a member of the faith.

The initial objective of Butler was to collect $ 10,000 to offer the family something to make them spend the coming months.

He said many members of the faith explained that contributing to the fund is like the right way to respond to the tragedy.

“I feel like I am responding to an attack on us in the right way. Do not take revenge, not to get justice, not to blame bad people,” said Butler.

More than 7,000 people have contributed to the collection of funds from the Sanford family during the 48 hours since its publication, collecting more money than all the online fundraising verified for church enthusiasts who were killed or injured during the attack. Many messages have left saying that they are wider church members.

“Another saint of the last days here, praying that this family feels loved and supported in these difficult times,” wrote a donor who has not listed by name.

A lawyer for the Sanford family did not send a message left on Thursday to the Associated Press. In previous written communication by their lawyer, family members said: “No word can adequately transmit our sorrow for victims and their families.”

Butler underlined several tenants of his faith who probably inspired contributors, including the Christian ideal of forgiveness and the transformation of “the other plays”.

“The epistle of James said to take care of widows and orphans,” said Butler. “Jesus said,” Blessed are those who cry. They will be comforted. »»

Lisa Louis, who was in the chapel when her father, Craig Hayden, was fatally shot dead, said that she had instantly forgiven the shooter “with my heart” after looking in her eyes.

Butler said he was in contact with the Sanford family and believes that the messages left by many online donors were significant for them.

“The event is horrible. There is no way to get around,” said Butler. “I hope that healing can happen soon and that it can be part of the healing experience.”