The statement came from the family of Charles Carl Roberts IV, who shot 10 girls before killing himself Oct. 2. Five girls remain hospitalized.

“Our family wants each of you to know that we are overwhelmed by the forgiveness, grace and mercy that you’ve extended to us,” reads the statement, which was released by Wendy Nagle, president of the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“Your love for our family has helped to provide the healing we so desperately need,” said the statement, addressed “To our Amish friends, neighbors and local community.”

The Rev. Dwight Lefever, pastor of the New Providence Church of God, is serving as the spokesman for the relatives of Roberts, who was married and had three children. Lefever gave the family’s statement to Nagle, who then released it to the press.

Lefever told a reporter today that Roberts’ children have returned to school. Roberts had two school-age children, ages 7 and 5, as well as an 18-month-old.

The Amish community has reached out to Roberts’ wife, Marie, and other family members, who live in the village of Georgetown, amidst many Amish neighbors.

Mrs. Roberts’ grandfather, Lloyd Welk, said last week that he visited John and Linda Fisher, the parents of shooting victims Marian Fisher, 13, who died in the attack, and Barbie Fisher, 11, who survived.

“As soon as I walked in, John came over and shook my hand,” Welk said. “We sat down, he pulled his arm around my shoulders and said there was no grudge, only forgiveness, and that he held nothing against us.”

As donations pour into the county for the shooting victims, the Amish community has said it would like some of the donations to go to the Roberts family. The Amish also have asked for prayers for the family.

The Roberts’ statement said, “The prayers, flowers, cards and gifts you’ve given have touched our hearts in a way no words can describe.

“Your compassion has reached beyond our family, beyond our community, and is changing our world, and for this, we sincerely thank you.

“Please know our hearts have been broken by all that has happened. We are filled with sorrow for all of our Amish neighbors whom we have loved and continue to love.

“We know there are many hard days ahead for all the families who lost loved ones, and so we will continue to put our hope and trust in the God of all comfort, as we seek to rebuild our lives.”