A woman who survived a tragic church shooting in Michigan has shared a powerful message. In a letter posted on social media, she described a moment that many might consider unimaginable.
During the attack at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, four people lost their lives, including her father. Amid the chaos, she confronted the shooter directly. “I forgave him right there,” she wrote, reflecting on the calmness she felt as she knelt by her dad.
While recounting her experience, she said, “It felt like I could see into his soul.” In those terrifying moments, she sensed his pain and lostness. “I deeply felt it with every fiber of my being,” she added, emphasizing that her forgiveness came from the heart, not just words.
The suspect, 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, drove a pickup truck into the church before opening fire with an assault rifle. Eight others were injured during the attack. Officials labeled it “targeted violence,” driven by hatred towards the Mormon community. The FBI has been involved, and conversations have highlighted the troubling rise of hate crimes in recent years. In fact, a recent report showed that such crimes are up by 13% nationwide.
Interestingly, when she later described the shooter to the FBI, she mistakenly thought he had blue eyes—a detail she realized was a reflection of her own. “He let me live,” she wrote, underlining the profound emotional connection she felt in that moment.
Her powerful message resonates beyond the tragedy, promoting a call for compassion and understanding in these difficult times. It’s a reminder that even in the face of unimaginable sorrow, love and forgiveness can prevail.
For more on the increasing incidents of hate crimes, you can check this detailed report from the FBI.
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Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Shooting, Michigan, Church
