An elderly Trump supporter was seriously injured in a “politically motivated” incident after being hit by an all-terrain vehicle while putting up a campaign sign in his yard.
The 80-year-old Michigan man suffered serious injuries after the vehicle struck him in front of his home in Hancock on Sunday.
The suspect was identified Monday after he called police to confess to “a crime involving an all-terrain vehicle operator within the past 24 hours,” according to his statement.
However, when police arrived they discovered the 22-year-old driver was dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police alleged the driver had vandalized two other vehicles before the hit-and-run, and was linked to three “politically motivated” cases in total.
An elderly Trump supporter was seriously injured in a “politically motivated” incident after being hit by an ATV rider while putting up a campaign sign in his yard.
Police were first called to the 1600 block of Anthony Street at 5:45 p.m. Sunday, where they found the elderly man with serious injuries.
He was rushed to hospital where he remains in critical condition as of Tuesday.
Police said the SUV driver was targeting Trump and law enforcement supporters.
The suspect called police to report himself and asked them to “send someone to pick him up,” according to an official statement.
“The crimes reported in the Town of Hancock appear to be politically motivated, involving victims displaying Trump election signs as well as law enforcement recognition decals and flags, commonly known as ‘thin blue line’ paraphernalia,” the Houghton County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
Officers searching the driver’s home recovered several electronic devices which are being examined by computer forensics specialists.
The four-wheeled vehicle and clothing worn by the suspect at the time of the incident were also recovered.
Police said the driver had wrecked two other vehicles before the hit-and-run and was linked to three “politically motivated” cases in total.
Police were first called to the 1600 block of Anthony Street at 5:45 p.m. Sunday, where they found the elderly man with serious injuries.
Police stressed that there was no major threat to the public and that the investigation was ongoing, stating that they “do not tolerate violence against any political candidate.”
The incident occurred just a week after Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The shooting claimed the life of Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old Trump supporter, who died while trying to protect his wife and children.
