On Sunday morning, a gunman rammed a pickup truck decorated with American flags into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc. He opened fire on the Mormon congregation and burned down the building.

5 people, including the shooter, are dead. The FBI says it’s still investigating a motive.

Kris Johns is a Burton, Michigan resident running for a seat on his local city council. He had an interaction with the suspect, 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, just days before the attack while canvasing houses ahead of the November election.

Johns says he didn’t realize that the man he spoke with was the suspect, until he saw photos of Sanford after the shooting.

“I do not remember him giving his name,” says Johns, “so the Sanford name I did not connect.”

He says Sanford came across as warm and genuine at first but adds that his line of questioning quickly shifted to questions about the Mormon religion. By the end of the conversation, Johns says Sanford told him he thought Mormons were the Anti-Christ.

“I’ve seen people more animated and angry about football teams,” says Johns. “His behavior, and this is 100% speculative, was indicative that he’s felt about this for a long time.”

Johns says he felt many of Sanford’s views seemed to be formed during a time he lived in Utah.

Anyone who has information that could help the FBI in their investigation is encouraged to reach out to the Bureau at their online tip portal or call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

At least five people, including the attacker, are dead after a gunman opened fire inside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Grand Blanc on Sunday morning. Eight others were taken to the hospital.

The shooter has been identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, a military veteran from Burton, Michigan. Authorities say he rammed his truck into the church just before 10:30 a.m. local time and opened fire on the Mormon congregation.

The church was also set on fire during the ordeal. Investigators believe Sanford intentionally started the blaze and likely used an accelerant to intensify the flames.

Grand Blanc Township police chief William Renye, says local authorities were on the scene within minutes.

“The suspect,” says Renye, “was neutralized at 10:33:44 a.m. in the parking lot of that church.”

The FBI is leading an investigation into the attack and is treating it as a targeted act of violence. State law enforcement say they’ve responded to a number of bomb threats in the community following the Grand Blanc attack.

When asked whether the attack on the Mormon church was retaliation for the shooting of Charlie Kirk in Utah, Michigan State Police lieutenant Kimberly Vetter says it’s too soon to pinpoint a motive.

“That’s exactly what it is,” says Vetter, “is speculation. And we won’t come to those types of conclusions for some time.”

Law enforcement say they have not yet determined whether there are additional bodies in the burned-out church.

The FBI is asking members of the public to share any information that may help with the investigation.  That can be done by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or by using the Bureau’s online tip portal.