North Dakota man sentenced to 5 years in prison for running over, killing teen who he deemed to be a 'Republican extremist'



A North Dakota man was sentenced to prison for running over and killing a teen who he deemed to be a "Republican extremist."

Shannon Brandt, of Glenfield, North Dakota, was initially charged with criminal vehicular homicide. The charge was later upgraded to murder. Brandt, 42, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in May. He was also charged with leaving the scene of the fatality, but it was dismissed in a plea deal.

Brandt was sentenced to five years in state prison for the death of an 18-year-old. A state district court judge gave Brandt credit for nearly a year already served.

Following the prison sentence, Brandt will then serve three years' supervised probation and a yearlong suspension of his driver's license.

In September 2022, Brandt attended a street dance in McHenry, North Dakota. There was an alleged argument that escalated, according to a police report.

Brandt called 911 and informed the emergency dispatcher that he had used his SUV to mow down 18-year-old Cayler Ellingson, according to the affidavit. Brandt allegedly told the dispatcher that he ran over Ellingson because he believed him to be a "Republican extremist," who purportedly felt was threatening him. Police said there is no evidence that Ellingson was a conservative.

Brandt had reportedly left the crime scene in his vehicle before contacting authorities.

Brandt allegedly told the 911 dispatcher, "I hit him and I didn’t mean to, and he’s subdued, I was scared to death, but he’s subdued, he can’t do anything to me now."

Brandt purportedly continued, "I almost, oh god, I almost just run away but I thought jeez obviously if it was a total accident I wouldn’t be scared but I know it was more than that."

Brandt reportedly told the 911 dispatcher that Ellingson "wouldn't let him leave" and the teen called someone and said "something to the effect of you're going to have to come here and handle him."

Ellingson's final call with his mother was at 2:42 a.m., when he said "something to the effect of they are after me or he is after me," and the phone call dropped, according to the affidavit.

Prosecutor Kara Brinster said Brandt's vehicle ran over his torso and legs. An autopsy determined Ellingson was on the ground when he was fatally injured, according to court documents.

Brandt was arrested at his home in Glenfield, and officers found him "visibly intoxicated," according to the affidavit.

Brandt admitted to drinking before the deadly incident, according to police.

Brandt’s lawyer, Mark Friese, told Valley News Live after the sentencing, "Shannon is pleased that the matter is concluded and hopes those affected can begin to heal."

Ellingson’s mother, Sheri Ellingson, said during the trial, "Shannon, you took a piece of our family that’s not replaceable. When you chose to take Cayler’s life and happiness you took ours too. You have caused our family endless pain, heartache, sleepless nights. Our days, months, and years will never be the same because of your selfishness."

Brandt told the courtroom before his sentencing, "I'm here to take responsibility for the role I played in this tragedy. I’m very sorry to the Ellingson family, my family, and anybody else that has been affected by my actions. I have always enjoyed seeing the Ellingsons and would never have intentionally caused harm to any of them. I am truly devastated by the impact this has had on the entire community."

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Charges against Shannon Brandt upgraded to murder for hit and run that allegedly killed teen Cayler Ellingson following 'political argument,' eye-opening 911 call revealed



The North Dakota man accused of a fatal hit and run of a teenager now faces a charge of murder.

Shannon Brandt, 41, was initially charged with criminal vehicular homicide in the hit-and-run killing of Cayler Ellingson on Sept. 18. The criminal vehicular homicide charge has since been dropped.

On Friday, Foster County State’s Attorney Kara Brinster announced that Brandt is being charged with murder with a dangerous weapon in addition to duty in an accident involving death, according to Fox News. Both are felonies, and the murder charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.

Brandt was released from jail on Sept. 20 after posting a $50,000 bond. He was not placed on house arrest and didn't have a curfew.

Brandt reportedly turned himself in on Friday at the Stutsman County Correction Center.

The upgraded charges stem from an investigation by the North Dakota Highway Patrol, Foster County Sheriff’s Department, and the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Brandt allegedly ran over the 18-year-old with his SUV following a "political argument." Brady reportedly left the crime scene that happened after a street dance party in McHenry.

Brandt called 911 and "made comments regarding the incident being intentional and not an accident," according to the affidavit.

Court documents say Brandt asked the 911 operator, "I just wanna ask you a question, am I going to prison?"

Brandt allegedly told the 911 dispatcher, "I hit him and I didn’t mean to, and he’s subdued, I was scared to death, but he’s subdued, he can’t do anything to me now."

Brandt added, "I almost, oh god, I almost just run away but I thought jeez obviously if it was a total accident I wouldn’t be scared but I know it was more than that," according to the affidavit.

Brandt reportedly told the 911 dispatcher that Ellingson "wouldn't let him leave" and made a call to someone saying "something to the effect of you're going to have to come here and handle him."

Ellingson allegedly only called his mother and father.

At 2:34 a.m., Ellingson called his mother Sheri Ellingson, and suggested that "maybe he should call his cousins or posse," according to the affidavit. The mother of the slain teenager allegedly informed him that he "didn't need to do that and that she was on her way to pick" him up.

Ellingson's final call with his mother was at 2:42 a.m., when he said "something to the effect of they are after me or he is after me," and the phone call dropped, according to the affidavit.

Ellingson was taken to a local hospital, but later died.

Brandt drove to his home in Glenfield. Law enforcement tracked him down at his house, where they said he was visibly intoxicated. Police said a breathalyzer test revealed Brandt's blood alcohol level was above the legal limit to drive.

An investigation by the highway patrol did not find acceleration or skid marks in the gravel alley where Ellingson was hit by the SUV. Investigators also noted that Brandt's SUV had little to no damage.

An autopsy performed on Ellingson showed that his fatal injuries "weren’t caused from being struck by Shannon Brandt's vehicle and were caused by being run over," the affidavit stated.

Brandt initially told authorities that he got into a "political argument" with Ellingson. He described the teen as a member of a "Republican extremist group."

North Dakota Highway Patrol Capt. Bryan Niewind said of the alleged extremist ties, "There is no evidence to support the claim Brandt made about Ellingson."

A funeral for Cayler Ellingson was held on Monday at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Carrington, North Dakota.

Police debunk key claim of man who killed teenager who he thought was 'Republican extremist': 'No evidence'



A top North Dakota law enforcement official revealed Thursday there is "no evidence" suggesting teenager Cayler Ellingson was part of a "Republican extremist group."

What are the details?

The probable cause affidavit states that Shannon Brandt, 41, told a 911 dispatcher he used his car to mow down Ellingson — who later died from his injuries — because the 18-year-old was a "Republican extremist" and was threatening him.

"Brandt admitted to striking [Ellingson] with his car because he had a political argument with the pedestrian and believed the pedestrian was calling people to come get him," the affidavit reads. "Brandt admitted to leaving the scene of the incident and returning shortly after where he called 911."

The court document also explains what Brandt told emergency dispatchers.

"Brandt admitted to State Radio that he hit the pedestrian and that the pedestrian was part of a Republican extremist group," the probable cause affidavit states.

But according to North Dakota Highway Patrol Capt. Bryan Niewind, there is no evidence to support Brandt's claim.

"There is no evidence to support the claim Brandt made about Ellingson," Niewind said in a statement.

"This remains an active investigation and as evidence is gathered and reviewed, we will consult with the Foster County State’s Attorney to determine if Brandt’s current charges will remain as currently charged or if additional charges will be brought against him," Niewind added.

Additionally, witnesses who were around both individuals before the incident did not corroborate Brandt's claim about a political argument, the Associated Press noted.

What is Brandt charged with?

Brandt has been charged with criminal vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in death.

He was controversially released from jail this week after posting $50,000 bond.

In his appeal to the judge, Brandt cited having "a job, a life and a house and things that I don't exactly want to see go by the wayside — family that are very important to me."

\u201cBrandt had a tough time understanding the charges against him in the killing of 18-year-old Cayler Ellingson.\n\n"I have a job, a life and a house and things I don't want to see go by the wayside\u2014family that are very important to me," Brandt told a judge at his first court hearing.\u201d
— Mia Cathell (@Mia Cathell) 1663768986

Brandt has not yet entered a plea for the charges against him. He is next due in court on Oct. 11.

AP Hides Crucial Details About Killing Of Republican Teenager

When reporting on a fatal and apparently intentional hit-and-run of a North Dakotan teenager, the Associated Press failed to mention the perpetrator’s motive: his belief that his victim held “Republican extremist” views. Forty-one-year-old Shannon Brandt told the police that he “hit” 18-year-old Cayler Ellingson with his car because he believed the teen was part of a “Republican extremist group” […]

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The man charged with fatally hitting and running over a North Dakota teen justified the act by echoing the same “extremism” rhetoric President Joe Biden wielded against Republicans during his most recent address. Shannon Brandt, 41, mowed down 18-year-old Cayler Ellingson early Sunday morning over what he later claimed was a “political argument” over whether […]