The small town of Hancock, Michigan has been shaken by a series of politically motivated attacks on residents displaying support for President Donald Trump. The crimes included vandalizing vehicles and culminated in an elderly man being run over with an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) for replacing a pro-Trump sign that had been removed from his yard.
Hancock Police Chief Tami Sleeman stated that the attacks seemed to be targeting individuals displaying Trump election signs, law enforcement appreciation stickers, and ‘thin blue line’ paraphernalia. The suspect, a 22-year-old man with a thin build and possible dreadlocks or long hair, vandalized two vehicles and later ran over an 80-year-old man who tried to replace a pro-Trump sign in his yard.
The victim, who was visiting his brother in Hancock at the time of the attack, was transported to the hospital with serious injuries and remains in critical condition. The following day, the perpetrator confessed his crimes over the phone and requested help from law enforcement. He was later found dead at his home from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Chief Sleeman emphasized that political disagreements would not be tolerated in Hancock, stating, “You have the right to express your political views. You are allowed to have signs in your yard. There’s nothing against the law with that. In a time like this where everybody has different opinions, we have to respect those. One thing that we won’t put up with is violence.
Hancock is a small community of around 4,500 people near Michigan’s northernmost point, and prior to these incidents had never experienced such politically motivated violence. The perpetrator was not previously known to pose any sort of threat, leading many residents feeling uneasy about the potential for similar attacks in the future.
State Rep. Greg Markkanen highlighted the unusual nature of this incident in Michigan’s upper peninsula region, noting that violent political acts are more common in the lower peninsula. However, he expressed confidence in the ability of local and state law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation and determine any connections or background information related to the perpetrator.
As the investigation continues, it remains unclear what factors may have contributed to this sudden surge of politically motivated violence in Hancock.
