The man accused of opening fire inside of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building in Michigan allegedly ranted against Mormons less than a week earlier, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Burton City Council candidate Kris Johns told the Press he encountered Thomas Jacob Sanford while canvassing and heard him launch into an anti-Mormon tirade. Johns told the outlet Sanford seemed “extremely friendly” and not violent, describing his remarks as typical “anti-LDS talking points” common on YouTube, TikTok and Facebook. (RELATED: Karoline Leavitt Confirms Suspect In Michigan Church Shooting ‘Hated People Of The Mormon Faith’)

Johns said he spoke with Sanford on Sept. 22 while canvassing, recalling that Sanford shook his hand and thanked him for stopping by. The two discussed children, guns, Sanford’s military service in Iraq, his struggles with drug addiction, and religion.

Just days before the bloodshed at Grand Blanc’s LDS church, a local politician spoke to the suspect and said he had divulged into an anti-LDS tirade and described Mormans as “the anitchrist.” https://t.co/zvONRKlHnj

— Andrea May Sahouri (@andreamsahouri) September 29, 2025

Sanford told Johns he had dated a woman from a Mormon family, and the exchange took “a very sharp turn” as Sanford’s comments on the faith grew more pointed, the outlet reported. He allegedly went so far as to call Mormons “the antichrist.”

Johns said he recognized Sanford after seeing images of police surrounding a home on Burton he had recently visited. He contacted authorities and spoke with both Michigan State Police and the FBI.

“There’s certain things you don’t forget. This is not a forgettable guy,” Johns told the Press.

Police said at least 10 people were shot and one was killed when a gunman drove his car into a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building in Michigan on Sunday and opened fire during the sermon.

Police said the building caught fire during the chaos, and officers ultimately took the suspect down at the scene.

A tragic act of violence occurred today at a chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan. During Sunday worship services a gunman opened fire, and early reports indicate that multiple individuals were injured. We ask for cooperation with…

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) September 28, 2025

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said in a statement on X it was working with local law enforcement as the investigation continues.