(RepublicanInformer.com)- Last week, 41-year-old Shannon Brandt admitted to running over a Republican teenager after a political dispute, according to The Post Millennial. Cayler Ellingson, 18, allegedly got into a political dispute with Brandt in McHenry, North Dakota when the adult began to chase him in his car. While trying to get away, Ellingson had called his mother for help, but it had been too late as Brandt slammed his vehicle into the teen in an alleyway.
Brandt has been charged with vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a deadly incident before admitting that his actions were politically motivated. Ellingson had reportedly been participating in a street dance one night and noticed that Brandt had been following him.
The adult later called the police himself to report the incident, claiming that Ellingson had been part of a “Republican extremist group” and had ordered that others come after Brandt after having a political argument.
Police say Brandt was drunk at the time of the incident, but little is known about what happened.
“We do not know of any witnesses,” North Dakota Highway Patrol Captain Bryan Niewind said. “We are still making attempts to interview potential witnesses from the street dance, people that were present prior to the crash happening.”
Brandt, who Ellingson’s mother knew, was set to be released on $50,000 bail, but argued against it, saying that he was not a flight risk because he had job, family, and house. Brandt could reportedly face a minimum of 10 years and maximum of 20, unless additional charges are filed against him.
A GoFundMe has been set up in after the teen’s death to help pay for funeral expenses. “Cayler has went to heaven and will be missed by his Mom, Dad, Brother, Uncles, Aunts, cousins many Family and Friends,” the statement reads.
The incident comes after the president made a statement at Independence Hall in Philadelphia earlier this month calling Republicans a threat to democracy.
“Equality and Democracy are under assault. We do ourselves no favor to pretend otherwise,” Biden said while in front of a red ominous backdrop. “Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our Republic.”
