OAN Staff Katherine Mosack
1:37 PM – Thursday, October 2, 2025
Following the tragic shooting at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) in Michigan last Sunday, members of the LDS Church began raising funds for the gunman’s family, despite the devastation he caused in the community.
On Sunday, in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, a gunman who was later identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, a 40-year-old Iraq War veteran, drove his truck into the church, opening fire on churchgoers and setting the building ablaze — resulting in four deaths and eight injuries.
However, the gunman was eventually killed in a shootout with police — leading to five deaths altogether.
Reports indicate that Sanford harbored deep animosity toward the Mormon faith, reportedly stemming from personal grievances, including a failed relationship with an LDS church member in Utah.
Church members have also launched several fundraisers on GoFundMe for the victims and their families.
They raised over $146,000 for one victim, Greg Mikat, who is currently in the ICU dealing with “life-threatening gunshot wounds.”
Kathleen Payton, Greg’s niece, initiated another GoFundMe campaign to assist her parents, Jeff and Marei Kubiak, who were also victims of the attack. Jeff Kubiak suffered a gunshot wound that shattered his ankle and has undergone multiple surgeries, while Marei was injured by glass shards. Their fundraiser has raised approximately $89,582 thus far.
“While attending church that day, my dad heard a loud crash and immediately rushed to help—because that’s who he is,” Payton wrote. “In the chaos that followed, he was shot.”
Additionally, more than $134,000 was raised for the Phelps family after Benjamin Phelps and his son were both injured — fortunately, his son has returned home.
Nearly $95,000 went to the widow of Craig Hayden, one of the victims who lost his life, while over $61,000 was donated to the family of Navy veteran John Bond, also killed in the attack. More than $89,000 was raised for the family of Pat Howard, another slain churchgoer.
However, remarkably, the largest sum raised by the grieving church community will go to the family of the suspect.
Utah-based writer Dave Butler, also a member of the Mormon church, reflected on who would support “two more victims” — Sanford’s wife and children — despite being family members of the gunman.
“It seemed very cruel,” he argued, that support for people suffering from the attack “would overlook the other family that was left without a father.”
Following his religious convictions, Butler had set up a GiveSendGo fundraiser with a goal of $500,000 for the Sanford family. At the time of publication, the public has raised over $290,000, leaving messages about love and forgiveness.
In the fundraiser’s description, Butler explains that he had no connection to the Sanfords, but he was inspired by the Bible verse James 1:27, saying “James teaches us that ‘Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction.'”
Despite James 1:27 coming from the New Testament of the Bible, Mormons also use the Bible –specifically the King James Version — as part of their “standard works,” along with the Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. Many Mormons don’t actually reject the Bible, they just see it alongside their other scriptures.
Butler continued to emphasize that he had an extended conversation with Sanford’s sister, who is helping coordinate donations for the family.
“They are pretty moved that so many people have expressed love for them,” Butler said, adding that he and the sister both wept during the call. “I’m very grateful to have been part of this.”
The fundraiser aims to support Sanford’s son, who reportedly has a rare condition called congenital hyperinsulinism that requires ongoing medical care.
Butler noted that this remarkable generosity is not limited to LDS members, highlighting that numerous donors from outside the faith have contributed as well.
“I would love to say we’re extraordinary,” Butler said. “Our teachings are the same as everybody else’s. You know, be good to the poor and the downtrodden. Lift up those who have been knocked down.”
The now-deceased attacker’s father made a statement to NBC News on Monday about his family’s response to the event.
“We are completely in shock over this,” the statement says. “We have no answers. We are asking for privacy as we grieve our loss and those of the others.”
On Tuesday, the extended family also made another statement.
“Our hearts are broken for the victims, the survivors, and their families. The whole Grand Blanc community is hurting,” they stated. “As Jake’s extended family, we are devastated by what he did. None of us can make sense of why he would do something so horrifying. We don’t have answers, and we are waiting on investigators to finish their work. Even then, we know nothing will make this right.”
Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
What do YOU think? Click here to jump to the comments!Sponsored Content Below