(JustPatriots.com)- Despite media claims of escalating political extremism and violence, the apparent politically motivated murder of an 18-year-old in North Dakota last weekend garnered little national notice.
According to the probable cause affidavit, 41-year-old Shannon Brandt told a 911 operator that he used his automobile to run over Cayler Ellingson, who died from his injuries, because the 18-year-old was a “Republican extremist” who was threatening him.
A top North Dakota law enforcement officer explained that there is no proof that Cayler Ellingson was a member of a “Republican extreme group.”
Reports show Brandt admitted to hitting Ellingson with his automobile because he was having a political debate with the pedestrian and thought the pedestrian was calling people for help to come after him, according to the affidavit. Brandt acknowledged fleeing the site of the crime and later returning to the location where he dialed 911.
The court record also details what Brandt informed emergency personnel.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Brandt claimed that he hit the pedestrian and that the victim was a member of a Republican extreme group.
However, North Dakota Highway Patrol Capt. Bryan Niewind said in his statement that there is no proof to support Brandt’s assertion. Niewind remarked that this is an ongoing investigation, and when evidence is obtained and examined, the Foster County State’s Attorney will determine if Brandt’s present charges will be dropped or whether new charges will be filed against him.
According to the Associated Press, witnesses surrounding both parties before the attack did not support Brandt’s account of a political disagreement. Brandt has been charged with criminal vehicular homicide and fleeing the scene of a fatal collision. He was freed from jail this week after paying a $50,000 bail. Brandt is scheduled to appear in court on October 11.
In his appeal to the judge, Brandt mentioned having a job, a life, a house, and things that he doesn’t exactly want to see fall by the wayside. He has a family that is extremely important to him.
He should have remembered that before he ran down an innocent man.
