Multiple accounts on social media quickly began to comb through Facebook posts showing Sanford, 40, smiling and standing outside with friends while wearing what appears to be a camo-colored shirt promoting the 2020 reelection of Donald Trump. Almost immediately, critics denounced the images as inauthentic or doctored, while Newsweek attempted to trace them back to the source.

The search for a political meaning behind the attack comes as Americans reckon with an increase in politically-motivated violence, which hit its zenith with the Sept. 10 murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the FBI is treating the attack as being directed at Mormons over their faith.

Michigan State Police refuted speculation about Sanford’s motive as “exactly what it is—a speculation” and said investigators won’t reach a conclusion in the case for “some time.”

Social media accounts linked to Sanford’s family show the 40-year-old veteran with a young son, who has a rare genetic disorder. However, Sanford was referred to as “Jake” in the posts, not his first name, “Thomas.”

Public records reviewed by Newsweek show that Sanford had no political party affiliation. However, the outlet also shared an image of Sanford in 2019 wearing a Trump shirt, which they claim was posted on Facebook. Others beleive it to be photoshopped.

According to property records, Sanford lived at the 4100 block of East Atherton Road in Burton, Michigan. Google satellite images show a Trump yard sign in front of the property, but Newsweek was quick to note that Tella Sanford, his wife, was the only member of the household who espoused pro-Trump beliefs on social media.

A May 12, 2021, post by Tella included the hashtag #BringBackTrump. The post has since been deleted.