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In July 2024, a series of violent incidents shook the quiet community of Hancock, Michigan, when a young man on an ATV targeted Trump supporters’ property and ultimately assaulted an elderly man. The events culminated in the suspect’s tragic suicide.
The afternoon of July 21 turned violent when 81-year-old Carl Nelson and his 78-year-old brother Paul witnessed a man dressed in black riding an ATV, aggressively removing political signs supporting Trump from neighborhood yards and disposing of them in a swamp. After Carl Nelson attempted to restore some signs, the driver returned and deliberately struck him from behind with the vehicle.
The impact left Nelson unconscious with serious injuries, including a brain bleed and extensive bruising. Walter LaPlante, a neighbor who witnessed the aftermath, described the usually peaceful community’s shock at such a politically motivated attack, noting that the perpetrator specifically targeted Trump and Republican supporters.
JUST IN: Dead suspect in Hancock ATV crimes named, injured resident now home and recovering
“The suspect was Joshua Kemppainen,” Hancock Police Chief Tamie Sleeman said. “Our law enforcement has had no contact with him prior to this.”https://t.co/Cwj0oo2Ks7 pic.twitter.com/KW8u1PNiGJ
— Michigan News Source (@MINewsSource) July 26, 2024
Police quickly identified the suspect as 22-year-old Joshua Kemppainen. The day following the incidents, Kemppainen contacted authorities to confess to the vandalism. However, when police arrived at his residence, they discovered he had taken his own life with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Further investigation revealed Kemppainen’s complex personal struggles. His father, David Kemppainen, informed Hancock Police Chief Tami Sleeman that Joshua had faced bullying in high school, had autism, and was taking medication for depression that had recently changed.
Additional insights came from Lane Campbell, a 25-year-old online friend who lived hundreds of miles away. Campbell revealed that Kemppainen had struggled with gender identity issues, having previously taken estrogen and expressed himself in feminine ways, though he had stopped hormone treatment over a year before the incident.
Blaze News exclusive: Suspect in anti-Trump ATV attack had gender issues, took estrogen, friend says
Joshua Kemppainen sometimes 'wanted to be viewed more as a woman.' https://t.co/PYAQ8N5dIm
— Don't be an Arse! (@Jradams74) January 11, 2025
Campbell described Kemppainen as politically far-left and increasingly disillusioned with the Democratic Party. Despite his progressive leanings, Kemppainen maintained an interest in firearms and had served in the Army. He harbored strong anti-government sentiments, particularly regarding law enforcement.
In the period leading up to the incident, Campbell noticed deteriorating signs in Kemppainen’s mental health, complicated by substance abuse issues. The final message Campbell received from Kemppainen read: “I’m getting wasted. I’m playing with my AK. Wish me luck.”
After Kemppainen’s death, police discovered an AK-style rifle with his body. His father maintained that his son’s violent actions were completely out of character, describing him as someone without “a mean bone in his body.” The case highlighted the intersection of mental health struggles, political tensions, and personal identity issues in a small Upper Peninsula community.
