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, North Dakota, where he was pronounced dead.

Killing of Cayler Ellingson
LocationMcHenry, North Dakota, U.S.
DateSeptember 18, 2022 (2022-09-18)
TargetCayler Ellingson
Attack type
Vehicle-ramming attack
WeaponsFord Explorer SUV
Deaths1
AssailantShannon Brandt
ChargesManslaughter
Sentence5 years in prison

Brandt called 9-1-1. 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]

A blood test found Brandt's blood alcohol content level was 0.08, above the legal limit for driving.[6]

In May 2023, Brandt pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with Ellingson's death. In September 2023, Brandt was sentenced to five years in prison.[7]

Arrest and charges

Brandt was charged with vehicular homicide and released on bail of US$50,000.[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. ISSN 0745-1067. OCLC 3555868. Archived from the original on September 23, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  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". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. Wahpeton, North Dakota. ISSN 0895-1292. OCLC 9563116. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2023. Shannon Brandt is slated to go to trial on May 30 in Wahpeton, North Dakota. He is accused of running over Cayler Ellingson with a vehicle.
  6. Rose, Andy; Riess, Rebekah (September 22, 2022). "Man admits fatally striking 18-year-old with vehicle after 'political argument,' police say". CNN. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  7. Dura, Jack (September 8, 2023). "A North Dakota man was sentenced to 5 years in prison for running over and killing a teen last year". Bismarck, North Dakota: ABC News. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  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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