One week before opening fire on a Michigan Mormon church, Thomas Jacob Sanford reportedly made a disturbing confession that appears to reveal his motive. After crashing his truck into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, the 40-year-old Iraq war veteran killed four people and injured eight others before being killed by police.

City council candidate Kris Johns recounted a conversation with Sanford days earlier, describing how the attacker expressed intense hostility toward Mormons. Johns said Sanford, who had previously lived in Utah and dated a Mormon woman, called the religion “the antichrist.” The two spoke for 20 minutes during a door-to-door campaign, with Sanford discussing his struggles with drug addiction and military service.

Sanford’s hatred of Mormons appeared personal, as he shared details about his relationship with a Mormon woman and his time in Utah. Johns noted that Sanford never mentioned politics or current events during their exchange. The conversation took a sharp turn when Sanford questioned Johns about Mormon beliefs, ultimately declaring the faith “the antichrist.”

Sanford, who had PTSD from his military service, was also grappling with family tensions. His mother, Brenda Walters-Sanford, posted a cryptic Facebook message two days before the attack that some believe may have influenced him. A forensic psychiatrist suggested the post could have acted as a trigger for Sanford’s violent actions.

The FBI is still investigating the attack, which has left the community in shock. Sanford’s wife and parents were reportedly active on social media, sharing pro-Trump content. The case highlights the complex interplay of personal grievances, mental health struggles, and ideological conflicts that may have led to the tragedy.