Community of LDS Church Members Raises Over $140K for Family of Michigan Shooting Victim

Members associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have contributed over $140,000 to support the family of Thomas Jacob Sanford, the perpetrator of a recent tragedy at a Michigan church.

By Wednesday morning, the fundraising effort on GiveSendGo had accumulated nearly $150,000. The incident occurred on Sunday when Sanford targeted The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, subsequently setting the building on fire.

David Butler, who organized the fundraiser, wrote, “Among those who suffered devastating loss was the family of Thomas Jacob Sanford, the assailant. Sanford leaves a grieving wife and children behind.”

Butler described himself as a “regular member” of the church, with no personal connections to either Sanford or the Grand Blanc Township. Many who donated recently have identified themselves as LDS church members from states like Missouri, Hawaii, and Utah.

One time that Sanford spouted off about his grievances against the church was at a wedding thirteen years ago, one of the friends said. 

“We were taken aback,” commented Bobby Kalush, who grew up near Sanford, in an interview with the AP. “When he returned from Utah, he seemed entirely transformed.”

Around bonfires with friends, it wasn’t unusual for Sanford to start talking about how Mormons were going to take over, added Frances Tersigni. 

“It was just so random. It was like, ‘Why Mormons dude?’” Tersigni said. “It’s hard to explain. We didn’t take it serious.” 

Little remained of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel the day after a Marine veteran opened fire and set the building ablaze in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan. (AP/Mark Vancleave)

“He never once, never, said ‘I’ve got to do something,’” Tersigni added. “There’s a Jake we all knew, and there was one who was hidden. It wasn’t apparent to us.”