In a gesture that speaks volumes about compassion amidst tragedy, a Utah author has spearheaded a fundraiser amassing upwards of $300,000 for the family of the gunman responsible for the Michigan church shooting. Dave Butler, described as possessing an interest in fantasy and science fiction and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, launched the campaign through GiveSendGo, a noted fundraising platform. Even as the community struggled with the recent violent events in Grand Blanc Township, NBC News conveyed that the initiative swiftly garnered attention and contributions.
The act of violence, which claimed the lives of four individuals and left others wounded, unfolded at the said LDS congregation. Contrary to the victims' families, who are managing their grief, Butler, without prior association with them or the assailant, felt it necessary to support the suspect's immediate relatives. He articulated his stance to WXYZ, positing it as being in line with Christian teachings and emphasizing, "They didn't lose the crazy man who slammed his truck into the church and threw gasoline on it and shot people when they came out — was not what they lost. They lost the dad who went to work for the family, right, and who showed up for the Little League games."
The fundraiser, which manifested an outpouring of financial and emotional support, included contributions averaging below $40 alongside larger anonymous donations. An array of messages from the donors reinforced the community's intent to comfort and uphold the grieving family, some citing scriptural passages. One donor wrote, as reported by NBC News, "We hope this helps and you find peace and comfort through our Savior Jesus Christ."
Reactions to the campaign were mixed, with most leaning towards positivity. However, as Butler acknowledged, some responses were accusatory and excessively critical. He told WXYZ, "I think that's the real story here, right? It isn't me. What I did is very tiny, it's the 7,300-plus people who said what can I do, right, what's the light I can bring into darkness." Despite these hurdles, the initiative appeared to have struck a chord with many, showing a stark contrast to the violence preceding it. The Sanford family's attorney lauded the effort as a significant gesture of "compassion and grace" in a statement to NBC News.
