Burton City Council candidate Kris Johns revealed that the man authorities say attacked the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, over the weekend had recently called Mormons "the antichrist."
Johns told the Detroit Free Press that he met Thomas Jacob Sanford while canvassing less than a week ago. According to law enforcement, Sanford used an assault-style rifle to kill two churchgoers on Sunday, while at least two others died in a fire he set. Eight injuries were also reported.
"This is not a forgettable guy," Johns noted, recalling that Sanford talked about his child and support for the Second Amendment.
Johns said the conversation took a "sharp turn" when Sanford began asking him about Mormonism.
"I just didn't know what the next question was going to be," the candidate said. The conversation culminated with Sanford claiming that the religion was "the antichrist."
"It was very much standard anti-LDS talking points that you would find on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook," he observed.
Johns said that there was no discussion of politics, but noted that Sanford had a sign supporting President Donald Trump's 2024 campaign on his fence.