An 80-year-old man was critically injured in Michigan on Sunday after being run over by a suspect on an ATV while putting up a sign in support of Donald Trump. The suspect, whose name was not initially released, has been identified and shot himself after committing the crime.
A press release from the Houghton County Sheriff’s office stated, “The Hancock City Police Department received a message from an individual at that address who stated that they wanted to ‘confess a crime involving an ATV driver within the last 24 hours’ and requested ‘someone to pick me up.’ Officers and deputies arrived on scene and discovered a 22-year-old male suspect. The individual was found deceased 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 ‘thin blue line’ paraphernalia,” the press release added.
The police release from the Houghton County Sheriff’s Department, in coordination with the City of Hancock, noted that Hancock Police had responded to two incidents of vandalism and a hit-and-run involving the same suspect.
According to the Hancock City Police press release, “At approximately 5:45 p.m., in the 1600 block of Anthony Street, the same subject driving an ATV (4-wheel) allegedly with intention to do harm drove into the residence yard, running over an 80-year-old male who was posting a political sign in his yard. The victim was transported to the hospital with serious injuries and remains in critical condition.”
Hancock Police Chief Tami Sleeman told TV6, “Around 4:45 p.m., we had reports of vandalism to two vehicles where the tire valves were broken off, and another vehicle had all its windows smashed out and the tires damaged in a similar manner.”
The hit-and-run occurred when the 80-year-old man was setting up Trump signs in his yard. The suspect allegedly pulled out the signs, and when the elderly man went to set them back up, the suspect ran into him with the ATV. During a search of the 22-year-old suspect’s residence, the ATV used in the crime was recovered.
“We’re not sure what could happen. Could he die from these injuries? Possibly,” Sleeman added. “If there’s anybody out there that has any information on the person driving this four-wheeler, please call the Hancock Police Department.”