A senior citizen in Hancock, Michigan, remains in critical condition following what police term a “politically motivated” assault. The incident occurred around 5:45 p.m. on Sunday when the victim, who has not been named, was setting up a yard banner promoting President Donald Trump. The suspect, driving a Honda ATV, reportedly invaded the victim’s yard, began removing the signs, and, as the elderly man attempted to reinstate them, ran him over.
Hospital reports indicate the victim sustained severe injuries, including a brain bleed. The 22-year-old suspect, later found deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, had contacted police confessing to a crime involving an ATV driver. Forensic examination of electronic devices recovered from the suspect’s residence is now underway, in addition to investigation of the ATV and the suspect’s clothes.
Officials describe this as the third of a series of politically motivated incidents taking place on Sunday, the prior being the vandalism of vehicles purported to belong to Trump and law enforcement supporters.
This attack follows close on the heels of the shooting at Trump’s Pennsylvania rally on July 13 when a 20-year-old assailant left one attendee dead and two injured, including the former President. James Copenhaver, one of the injured supporters, released a statement expressing condolences to the deceased’s family, and extending thoughts and prayers to his fellow victim, Trump, and, most notably, his caregivers.