Killing of Cayler Ellingson

On September 18, 2022, 18-year-old Cayler Ellingson was killed in a vehicle-ramming attack around McHenry, North Dakota. After he was struck by a Ford Explorer SUV driven by a 41-year-old man, Shannon Brandt, Ellingson was taken to a hospital in Carrington, where he was pronounced dead.

Killing of Cayler Ellingson
LocationMcHenry, North Dakota, U.S.
TargetCayler Ellingson
Attack type
vehicle-ramming attack
WeaponsFord Explorer SUV
Deaths1
AssailantsShannon Brandt

Brandt called 911. An initial highway patrol report claimed that Brandt said he attacked Ellingson for being part of a "Republican extremist group".[1] Brandt said that the victim was calling someone else on the phone before he attacked,[2] who was later identified as Ellingson's mother.[3] Brandt reportedly interpreted the call as an attempt to report him to others.[4] According to North Dakota Highway Patrol Capt. Bryan Niewind there was "no evidence" to Brandt's assertions "that this incident involved politics". The 911 transcript includes Brandt saying that Ellingson “was saying something about some Republican extremist group,” and that Brandt feared that Ellingson was calling someone to "take care of him."[5]

According to North Dakota law enforcement, no evidence was found to support Brandt's claim that Ellingson was part of a "Republican extremist group".[6]

A blood test found Brandt's blood alcohol content level was 0.08, above the legal limit for driving.[7]

Arrest and charges

Brandt was charged with vehicular homicide and released on $50,000 bail.[8] However, on September 22, the charges were upgraded to include murder, a class AA felony, the maximum penalty for which is life imprisonment without parole. Foster County, North Dakota State's Attorney Kara Brinster moved that the previous charges, including criminal vehicular homicide, be dismissed. The new charges filed in district court were based on an investigation by the North Dakota Highway Patrol and the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation which included interviews with people involved and an autopsy of the victim.[9][10]

Reaction from Donald Trump

Former US president Donald Trump criticized the media for allegedly not giving the killing sufficient coverage. In a speech in North Carolina on September 23, Trump stated that "Just recently, a young 18-year-old man from North Dakota … was targeted and killed, run down in cold blood with an SUV by a radical left maniac. This guy ran him down and not one mainstream media network has even mentioned this horrible crime... Think of it the other way. Supposing a mad person ran down somebody on the other side, it would be the biggest story you've ever seen."[11]

See also

References
  1. Stunson, Mike (September 22, 2022). "Man admits to running over 18-year-old after they had political argument, ND cops say". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved September 26, 2022.(subscription required)
  2. Sabes, Adam (September 25, 2022). "North Dakota cops say 'no evidence' Cayler Ellingson was 'Republican extremist' or death 'involved politics'". Fox News. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  3. "North Dakota driver charged with fatally striking teenager says he purposely hit the teen after a political argument". CBS News. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  4. Sabes, Adam (September 23, 2022). "North Dakota high school holds moment of silence for slain Cayler Ellingson during homecoming football game". Fox News. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  5. Baumgarten, April (January 9, 2023). "Trial of North Dakota man accused of killing teen after street dance moved to new location". InForum. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  6. https://nypost.com/2022/09/23/north-dakota-official-says-no-evidence-to-shannon-brandts-claim-cayler-ellingson-was-republican-extremist. Retrieved May 9, 2023. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. Rose, Andy; Riess, Rebekah (September 22, 2022). "Man admits fatally striking 18-year-old with vehicle after 'political argument,' police say". CNN. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  8. McBride, Jessica (September 22, 2022). "Cayler Ellingson: Shannon Brandt Accused in Death". Heavy. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  9. "Murder charges filed in death of Cayler Ellingson". KVRR Local News. September 30, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  10. Forliti, Amy (September 30, 2022). "New murder charge for North Dakota man who ran over teen". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  11. Thornberry, Max (September 23, 2022). "Trump blasts media outlets for ignoring Cayler Ellingson killing in North Dakota". Fox News. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
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