A North Dakota man has been arrested and charged with vehicular homicide after he allegedly ran over a teenage he said was part of a Republican "extremist group," according to local law enforcement.
Shannon Brandt, 41, allegedly began chasing Cayler Ellingson, 18, after they had a politically charged altercation at a street festival in the city of McHenry on Sunday, according to InForum. Brandt is accused of running Ellingson over with his car after chasing the teen down an alleyway. Brandt reportedly left the scene but later "called 911 to report the crash," according to a North Dakota Highway Patrol captain, Bryan Niewind.
"We are still trying to determine what, exactly, transpired at the time of the crash and prior to that as well," he added.
"We do not know of any witnesses. We are still making attempts to interview potential witnesses from the street dance, people that were present prior to the crash happening," Niewind said.
According to court documents, Brandt said during the 911 call that he hit Ellingson, whom he claimed was a member of a Republican "extremist group" who had called people to go after Brandt following their argument. He also reportedly told police that he had been drinking at the time of the incident. Ellingson's mother told police that her son called her asking for help just before he died.
Brandt was arrested on Monday and charged with vehicular homicide and fleeing the scene of a deadly accident. A judge set his bail at $50,000. Brandt reportedly posted bond and was released from jail on Wednesday.
Theodore Bunker ✉
Theodore Bunker, a Newsmax writer, has more than a decade covering news, media, and politics.
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