HANCOCK, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Hancock Police Department has identified the suspect as 22-year-old Joshua Kemppainen of Quincy Township.
Kemppainen is not believed to have had any previous contact with local law enforcement. The victim, who had been run over by the ATV and left in critical condition, was released from the hospital Wednesday evening.
Kemppainen was discovered at a Quincy Township home and declared dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
QUINCY TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WZMQ) – Law enforcement responded to an address on Samson Street in Quincy Township on Monday afternoon, after they received a message from an individual who wanted to confess to crimes in the previous 24 hours.
According to the press release from the Houghton County Sheriff’s Office, the Hancock City Police Department received a message from an individual at the address stating they wanted to confess to the crimes, and that they wanted the department to “send someone to pick me up.”
Officers arrived on the scene and discovered a 22-year-old male suspect on the scene that was deceased, with a single self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Deputies obtained a search warrant for the residence and recovered several electronic devices, which will be searched by computer forensic specialists. Additional evidence was located including the four-wheeler used during the incident in the city, as well as clothing that the suspect had been wearing during the original incident.
The crimes reported in the City of Hancock appear to be politically motivated, involving victims who displayed Trump election signs and law enforcement stickers and flags commonly referred to as “thin blue line” paraphernalia.
The Houghton County Sheriff’s Office and the Hancock Police Department do not condone any violence against any political candidates. There is no further threat to the public at this time.
This is an ongoing investigation, and further details will be released at a later time.
The Houghton County Sheriff’s Office is working with, and was assisted on the scene by, the Hancock City Police Department, Houghton City Police, Michigan State Police, Mercy EMS, Houghton County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the FBI Field Office out of Marquette, MI.
WZMQ will continue to update this story as more information is released. Read the first story about the crimes below.
HANCOCK, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Hancock Police Department is seeking assistance in identifying an ATV rider believed to be involved in politically-motivated crimes.
On Sunday, July 21, police responded to three separate incidents that appeared to be politically motivated, two of which involved vehicles that were vandalized.
Around 5:45 p.m. on the 1600 block of Anthony St., a person on an ATV allegedly intentionally drove into a resident’s yard, running over an 80-year-old man who was posting a political sign. The victim was hospitalized with serious injuries and remains in critical condition.
It’s believe the person on the ATV is involved in all three incidents. Police say it appears the suspect is targeting both Trump supporters and law enforcement supporters.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hancock Police Department at 906-482-3102.
