Big Trump supporter in critical condition after 'politically motivated' attack, police say

An elderly man in Hancock, Michigan, is in critical condition after what police are calling a “politically motivated” attack on Sunday.

The man, who has not been identified, was putting up a yard sign supporting President Donald Trump around 5:45 p.m. when a suspect driving a Honda SUV drove into the man's yard and ran him over with the vehicle, the Hancock Police Department said. in a press release. According to reports, the driver began removing the signs from the yard and when the victim tried to put them back on the ground, the driver ran him over.

The victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries, including bleeding on the brain, and is reportedly still in critical condition.

The 22-year-old suspect, whose name has not been released to the media, was found dead Tuesday in a Quincy Township home with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Police received a message Monday from a person at the home who said he wanted to confess to a crime involving an ATV driver in the past 24 hours and asked authorities to “send someone to get- me”.

When law enforcement arrived at the home, they found the man dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Hancock Police Department said. a press release premiered Tuesday afternoon. Police obtained a search warrant for the home and recovered electronic devices that will be searched by forensics specialists, as well as the ATV used in the crime and clothing worn by the suspect.

The police department said more details will be released as the investigation continues.

This was the third incident that police believe is politically motivated that occurred on Sunday alone. The first two involved vandalized vehicles, and the police department said the suspect “appeared to target both Trump supporters and law enforcement.” It's not clear what about the vehicles that indicate the drivers were supporters of Trump or law enforcement.

“Around 4.45pm, we had reports of vandalism to two vehicles where the tire valves were broken and another, they had broken all the windows and tried to do the same. [act]… with the tires of the vehicle,” Sleeman told WLUC.

The ATV attack came less than 10 days after 20-year-old gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire on former President Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania on July 13. During that attack, the president was shot in the ear, aide Corey Comperatore was killed while shielding his family from bullets, and two other Trump supporters were seriously injured.

One of the injured supporters, James Copenhaver, broke free a statement expressing condolences to Comperatore's family and wishing the other injured supporter, David Dutch, a speedy recovery.

“First and foremost, my family and I continue to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Corey Comperatore,” Copenhaver said.

“We also continue to offer our thoughts and prayers for the full and speedy recovery of Mr. David Dutch and for the full recovery of President Donald Trump,” he continued. “I am grateful to all of my amazing caregivers who have done a wonderful job saving my life and helping me on my road to recovery. The recovery will be slow, but steady.”

This piece has been updated to include additional information.