A local candidate for City Council said that he encountered the former Marine who killed four people during Sunday worship at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel while door knocking for his campaign just days before.

Kris Johns, 44, is running for city council in Burton, a town just north of Grand Blanc Township. Johns said he engaged with Sanford who was outside of a house on a residential street Monday, September 22, just six days before the attack. Authorities searched the residence following the shooting.

Johns recognized Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, after the attack when he saw pictures of the gunman online.

They spoke in the driveway for about 20 minutes, first with introductions and then about their children. Johns said Sanford asked about his position on guns, and John replied he supports the Second Amendment. Then Sanford physically leaned in, Johns said, and asked, “What do you know about Mormons?”

For about the next 15 minutes, Sanford continued to talk about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, expressing that he identified as Christian and he was concerned about the beliefs held by the Mormon faith. He did not say if he was part of one Christian faith or another. Sanford later said he believed that Mormons are the “antichrist.”

Johns described Sanford’s tone as controlled and calm, with the vigor of a firmly held belief. But there was no threat or indication of violence. While the antichrist comment stood out to him, Johns said he is used to similar rhetoric being tossed around in American politics.

Their interaction stayed with Johns, who is used to voters speaking to him through screen doors and ushering political candidates away. Johns described the days since making the connection as "surreal." Burton will be stained by the event, he said.