The victims of the Grand Blanc Township church attack are being confirmed through verified online fundraisers as the community plans a gathering to move forward from the tragic event.
The four congregants killed in the Sept. 28 events are Thelma Amstrong, John Bond, Pat Howard and Craig Hayden, according to online fundraisers that a GoFundMe spokesperson told the Free Press are confirmed. Eight others were injured in the attack.
According to law enforcement, a man rammed a pickup truck into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township before opening fire and, officials believe, setting the building ablaze. Victims range in age from 6 to 78. The suspect was fatally shot by police during the attack, which was the 13th mass shooting in Michigan this year.
As online fundraisers are surfacing, Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said people looking to support the victims should be careful of scams looking to take advantage of people eager to donate.
The Free Press has compiled a list of victims and verified fundraisers in support of them and their families.
Thelma Armstrong
Thelma Amstrong is one of the four who died after the attack. She was attending church with her daughter and family, according to a verified GoFundMe.
Armstrong was a mother, grandmother and friend who dedicated her life to her family, according to the GoFundMe.
Funds are going toward Armstrong’s son and daughter, according to the fundraiser.
A family member declined comment after being reached by a Free Press reporter this week.
John Bond
John Bond, who lived in Linden, less than 30 minutes away from the church, was also killed in the attack. He was a 77-year-old husband, father and grandfather who loved spending time with his grandchildren, according to a GoFundMe created by his family. He was also a Navy veteran.
His next-door neighbor, 86-year-old Pike Douglass, says he has felt a void since he found out about Bond’s death.
“A lady called me and she says, ‘I want to inform you that John was a victim of the shooting in the church,’ ” Douglass told the Free Press on Tuesday night, two days after the attack. “Well, I could hardly believe it. It just stunned me.”
“He was a really outgoing, kind person,” Douglass added. “I just feel so upset; makes me want to cry.”
Douglass, who is recovering from hip and femur surgery, said he and his wife struggle to get around, but Bond and his wife often checked on them. Bond has helped them with yard work, trimming bushes and spraying for insects. The couple even visited Douglass in the hospital after his surgery and brought meals to Douglass’ wife while he was away from home.
“He came and visited me in the hospital right after surgery about three weeks ago. He and his wife walked into the room, and I couldn’t believe it,” Douglass said. “I was just dumbfounded that they were there.”
According to the fundraiser, money will go toward Bond’s memorial service and to support his wife, Joanne Bond.
The victim’s family wrote that he was “a well-known and loved member of his family and active in his community.”
-Nour Rahal
Pat Howard
Pat Howard was killed in the attack, according to a verified GoFundMe. Funds will go toward funeral expenses and to support his wife.
Family friend Cara Carrubba told The Associated Press that Howard, a 77-year-old from Holly, Michigan, was at the church with his wife, Kitty, who was unharmed.
An online obituary for Howard says he is survived by his five children, 13 grandchildren and four of his siblings.
The obituary says he was an Army veteran and that he spent 30 years working as a train dispatcher for Grand Trunk Western Railroad.
Craig Hayden
Craig Hayden lost his life helping another during the shooting, according to a verified GoFundMe.
The fundraiser is hoping to support his wife of over 50 years, according to the fundraiser.
Jennifer Hayden told NBC News her father-in-law, Craig Hayden, 72, died trying to help another worshipper escape the rampage.
Benjamin Phelps and his son
Benjamin Phelps and his young son were among those injured in the attack, according to a verified GoFundMe.
His son has returned home while Phelps still faces a long recovery, according to the fundraiser. Organizers said donations will help ease medical and financial burdens for the family during his recovery.
Greg Mikat
Churchgoer Greg Mikat was shot three times in the attack. His brother-in-law called Mikat a hero.
“He was in the chapel when the perpetrator drove into the building, and he immediately ran out to see what was happening, and the gunman was headed towards the door and saw Greg and shot him,” said Jeff Oakes, 61, of Weatherford, Texas, earlier this week.
“Those three shots gave warning to the people in the building to get out of there. His sacrifice … saved lives. It saved lives by what he did. … Whatever needed to be found out and done, he was willing to do it, and I just absolutely think he’s a hero.”
According to a verified GoFundMe set up by his family, Mikat is in the ICU. Funds will go toward his medical bills and supporting him and his family.
Georgea Kovanis
Jeff and Marei Kubiak
Married couple Jeff and Marei Kubiak were among the victims, according to a verified GoFundMe. Jeff sustained a gunshot wound that shattered his ankle, receiving two surgeries to remove the bullet and leather from his foot.
Marei was injured by glass shards in her hands and feet, according to the GoFundMe.
Victim Compassion Fund
The Grand Blanc Township Police Department partnered with ELGA Credit Union to create a Victim Compassion Fund, according to a video posted by the police department on Facebook.
People can make donations with the link to the fundraiser, or through stopping in at one of the 16 ELGA Credit Union locations in Genesee County.
GoFundMe created a page of verified fundraisers related to the Grand Blanc attack. As more are verified, GoFundMe staff will update the page.
“Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the tragic shooting in Grand Blanc,” a spokesperson for GoFundMe said. “Our crisis response team is monitoring the platform for all fundraisers connected to this crisis to ensure they are verified and that funds swiftly reach those in need.”
For GoFundMe to verify a fundraiser, it must be clear who the organizer is, who they are raising funds for, the organizer’s relationship to the recipient of the funds, and how the funds will be used and delivered, according to a spokesperson. Fundraisers unable to confirm this information will be removed, and donors will be refunded.
The Free Press will continue to search for victims.
A Grand Blanc community gathering is planned at Don Batchelor Field in Grand Blanc at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7. The event is sponsored by the chamber of commerce, school district, city and township.
Contact Natalie Davies at ndavies@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: What we know about the Grand Blanc Township LDS church attack victims, how to support them
Reporting by Natalie Davies, Nour Rahal and Georgea Kovanis, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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