A 22-year-old ATV driver shot and killed himself after running over an 80-year-old man in Hancock, MI, in what police believe to be a politically motivated attack.
The victim, who is in a critical condition, was putting up a sign supporting Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump when the incident occurred on Sunday, July 21.
Within 24 hours of the politically motivated crime, Hancock City Police Department received a call from someone who “had stated that they want to ‘confess a crime involving an ATV driver within the last 24 hours’, and further to ‘send someone to pick me up.’” Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered a 22-year-old dead with a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“The crimes reported in the city of Hancock appear to be politically motivated, involving victims who displayed Trump election signs as well as law enforcement appreciation stickers and flags commonly referred to as ‘thin blue line’ paraphernalia,” a press release from the Houghton County Sheriff’s office said.
In addition to the hit-and-run against the 80-year-old victim, local law enforcement officers also received reports of vandalism – suspected to be linked to the now-deceased driver.
Many on social media were horrified by the political violence which led to the attack.
Others believed the blame lay firmly with one side.
