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Congregants of the Mormon faith have contributed significant funds to the relatives of the person thought to have carried out a lethal assault on one of their churches in the Great Lakes State, claiming the lives of four people.

Authorities stated that the suspect used his vehicle into the church in the Michigan town during a Sunday service and opened fire before starting a massive blaze. His life ended during a confrontation with officers.

David Butler, a adherent of the faith based in Utah, said he was compelled to initiate a charity drive for Sanford's widow and children.

As of Thursday, it had raised significant funds, with numerous donors identifying themselves as Latter-day Saints, commonly called Mormons.

"His relatives will experience monetary difficulties and emotional distress as a consequence of this recent week's horrifying events," Mr Butler expressed in the fundraiser page. "Furthermore, one of the children struggles with serious medical challenges that require ongoing care, medical attention, and targeted help."

The fundraiser organizer explained he had no relation to the the suspect's relatives or to the Michigan community, stating he is "a regular congregant" of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He works as a writer in imaginative genres.

But he added that he felt driven to initiate the charity effort "to provide certain support in a time of sorrow and upheaval" for the family.

Funds, he mentioned, will support their daily needs and medical treatment.

A number of contributors displayed on the site are unidentified, but a lot left comments identifying as church members.

"Heavenly Father adores you and your family and I hope to give you a big hug," expressed a supporter.

"The members of this faith care for ALL of you and hope you are able to heal with them," wrote a different donor.

Sources indicated that a number of users via social media have criticised the charity drive.

Eight people were also injured in the attack, which authorities suspect was a "intentional attack".

It shocked the town members and church nationwide.

Donations has also been given to campaigns for survivors and their relatives. Symbols were reduced throughout Michigan to remember the deceased, and community members, such as followers of different faiths, have held vigils.

An individual present of the attack shared in a note that she had absolved the gunman for causing the death of her parent.

"When he approached me I felt very calm, peaceful even as I kneeled next to my parent, my hands still on him," the woman expressed in the letter. "I maintained eye contact, an event occurred, I saw suffering, he felt confused. I profoundly sensed it with every aspect of my soul," she wrote.

"I pardoned him, I cleared him right there, not in words, but with my soul."

Investigators mentioned earlier this week that they are still investigating a cause behind the attack, which took place during a Sunday service including many individuals.

Representatives have stated that Sanford, middle-aged, was a former Marine who was earlier assigned to the conflict zone. In an prior conversation with a community news source, the individual mentioned that he was a non-commissioned officer and served in the Iraqi city in the mid-2000s.

He had earlier incidents for theft-related offenses and driving under the influence, sources stated on recently. Sanford is from a community of Flint of about 30,000 people, in close proximity from the affected community.