Man Confessed to Running Over an 80-year-old with an ATV Identified by Police
In an unexpected turn of events, police have identified Joshua Kemppainen, a 22-year-old from Quincy Township in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, as the suspect who confessed to running over an 80-year-old man with an ATV. Hancock Police Chief Tami Sleeman reported that Kemppainen, surprisingly, had no prior run-ins with local law enforcement.
Suspect Found Dead from Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound
Kemppainen was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in his Quincy Township home on Monday, July 22, following his confession to the police. The police were contacted by a man wishing to confess to a crime involving an ATV, but when they arrived on the spot, they found the man dead from the gunshot.
The 80-year-old Victim’s Recovery
The 80-year-old victim, who faced a serious and unfortunate ordeal, has been released from the hospital and is now recovering at home. Police reports indicate that the elderly man was in critical condition initially, having sustained serious injuries from the reckless incident.
The Suspected Motive Behind the Crime
Kemppainen was allegedly involved in a slew of politically charged crimes that took place in the city of Hancock on Sunday, July 21. According to records, Kemppainen seemed to have targeted residents showing visible support for former president Donald Trump and local law enforcement. Among these incidents, the most shocking was Kemppainen running over the 80-year-old man as he was placing a political yard sign in his garden. Two more cases registered involved vandalized vehicles, said Police Chief Sleeman.
A Search at the Deceased Suspect’s Home
A search warrant was obtained by the police following the confession and Kemppainen’s death. It led to the discovery of the ATV believed to be used in the Sunday attack, along with clothes matching the description of the ones the suspect was wearing. Beyond that, multiple electronic devices were also seized, which will be further examined by computer forensics specialists.
Coordinated Efforts in Handling the Investigation
The Hancock Police Department received assistance from the Houghton County Sheriff’s Office, Houghton City Police, Michigan State Police, and the FBI-Marquette Field Office in the investigation. The surprising string of events has shaken the local community and highlights the volatile intersection of personal mental health and politically motivated acts of aggression.
