North Dakota Man Accused of Murdering Conservative

Image copyright: Foster County Sheriff [via Daily Wire]

The Facts

  • 41-year-old Shannon Brandt - a North Dakota man charged with vehicular homicide in the death of 18-year-old Cayler Ellingson on Sunday - was released from jail on Tuesday after posting a $50K bond.

  • Brandt, who's also been charged with leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in death, allegedly returned to the scene briefly to call 911 before leaving again. The killing was reportedly the result of a political argument.


The Spin

Right narrative

This murder highlights the very real danger of establishment Democrats - exemplified by Biden in his recent "anti-MAGA speech" - calling their political opponents "semi-fascists" and a "threat to democracy." This is the sad culmination of this hateful rhetoric, coupled with the media's willful blindness toward left-wing violence.

Left narrative

This, and any murder, is tragic - especially one committed against a young person. Nevertheless, false claims that left-wing violence is more prevalent only obfuscate the dangerous reality. We must not let this tragic event distract from the fact that right-wing extremism, in particular, is on the rise and poses a clear and present danger.


Metaculus Prediction


Political split

LEFT

RIGHT

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