A crowdfunding campaign launched after a deadly church shooting in Michigan has drawn both strong support and intense criticism nationwide.

After a gunman killed four and injured eight during an attack on an LDS chapel on Sept. 28 in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, a Utah church member raised over $300,000 for the attacker’s family, citing religious compassion for the widow and children, as ABC News reports.

Authorities say the violence unfolded when Thomas Jacob Sanford rammed a truck into the entrance of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building before firing an assault rifle at worshipers and setting the building on fire. The attack happened during Sunday services as hundreds were in attendance.

Four people were killed during the incident, and eight others sustained injuries. The structure burned down completely. Sanford, a 40-year-old Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq, was killed by police during a shootout at the scene.

A motive has not been officially confirmed, but acquaintances reported that Sanford had held resentments against the church following the end of a romantic relationship with a Latter-day Saint woman he had dated in Utah.

Utah Church Member Responds With Crowdfunding Campaign

In the days following the attack, David Butler, a 53-year-old LDS church member from Utah, decided to take action—not for the victims, but for the family of the attacker. Butler, who is also a lawyer and author, launched a crowdfunding campaign on September 30.

Initially setting a goal of $10,000, Butler’s fundraising efforts exceeded expectations. By Thursday afternoon, October 2, more than 7,600 donors had contributed over $300,000 to support Sanford’s widow and children.

Butler has said he did not know Sanford or his family personally but felt compelled to act. “It was actually pretty simple,” he said, referencing religious teachings as his guide for the decision. “Jesus tells us that we should do this.”

Supporters Rally While Critics Voice Outrage

The effort has drawn mixed reactions. Some critics argue that offering financial help to the family of someone responsible for such a violent act ignores the suffering of the victims and their surviving loved ones.

Butler, however, emphasized that the family did not commit the crime. “She did not send off her husband in the morning, saying, ‘Good luck killing the Mormons,’” he said, referring to Sanford's widow.

He also described the impact on the attacker’s children, particularly noting that one of them lives with a chronic illness. “They lost their father. That’s going to be an economic detriment to them for years.”

Other Campaigns Focused on Victims' Families

Separate online fundraisers were also launched for the direct victims of the attack. Those campaigns have raised tens of thousands of dollars in the days since the tragedy occurred.

Butler has not communicated directly with Sanford’s widow. However, he said he has spoken with someone close to her, describing the conversation as emotionally difficult due to the family’s grief and confusion.

“It became obvious that nobody was doing anything to care for Sanford’s family,” Butler explained. “And it was obvious they were going to need it.”

Faith-Based Motivation Behind Controversial Campaign

Butler has repeatedly pointed to scriptures and religious teachings as the primary motivation behind his campaign. He refers to Biblical directives to love and serve even those considered enemies.

“Yes, some of my people were murdered. Yes, that was an awful and evil act,” Butler said. “But they're victims too.”

Despite the controversy, Butler believes the high number of donations speaks to shared compassion. “At least 7,500 or so people looked at that and said, ‘Yeah, you were right. There is another set of victims here that we hadn’t thought about.’”