Politics
NEW: Deranged Leftist Tears Down Trump Sign, Shoots Up Owner’s House
A Georgia man has been arrested for allegedly tearing down a pro-Trump sign and then firing indiscriminately towards the home of the sign’s owner, authorities announced.
Benjamin Michael Campbell, 37, was taken into custody on September 3o, and was later extradited to North Carolina on October 7, according to the Swain County Sheriff’s Office. He is currently facing charges of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury, discharging a firearm within an enclosure to incite fear, and willful and wanton injury to personal property.
Campbell was allegedly speeding down a highway in Nantahala Gorge, North Carolina, on September 6 when he spotted the flag hanging in Mark Thomas’s front yard, the homeowner told The New York Post. He allegedly proceeded to tear down the banner before firing multiple shots at Thomas through the sunroof of his car, footage of the incident appears to show.
“He was driving along, saw the sign, slammed on his brakes — you know, had a political trigger moment — and he just had to tear the sign down,” Thomas, 62, told the Daily Mail.
Benjamin Michael Campbell was arrested in connection with the act of vandalism and shooting incident
Photo: Swain County Sheriff’s Office
“He was driving along, saw the sign, slammed on his brakes—you know, had a political trigger moment—and he just had to tear the sign down,” Thomas recounted. He noted that he keeps firearms accessible for self-defense, stating, “I have weapons for my protection and my enjoyment, and I keep them handy. You know, what good are they if you can’t get to them when you need them? So I reached over and grabbed my rifle.”
Campbell evaded immediate capture but was apprehended on September 30 in Georgia. He was extradited to North Carolina on October 7 and booked into the Swain County Detention Center. The Swain County Sheriff’s Office announced the charges on October 7, emphasizing the role of the homeowner’s video in identifying and locating the suspect.
NEW: 38-year-old accountant Benjamin Michael Campbell arrested after allegedly opening fire on a MAGA supporter over a Trump sign, according to the Daily Mail.
Campbell is accused firing shots at 62-year-old Mark Thomas in North Carolina.
According to Thomas, Campbell was… pic.twitter.com/G2q1nqPpX0
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 20, 2025
Campbell is currently facing three felony counts: assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury, discharging, a firearm within an enclosure to incite fear, and willful and wanton injury to personal property.
Thomas drew parallels between his ordeal and other recent incidents of political violence. He referenced the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, calling it “absolutely tragic” and noting similarities in the “type of people” involved. “No one died here in my yard, but flip the coin, snap your fingers, somebody could have died here,” Thomas said. “And it’s becoming much more common.”
The Swain County Sheriff’s Office has urged residents to report suspicious behavior and emphasized community safety in a public statement. “We take threats of violence seriously, regardless of motivation, and are committed to holding perpetrators accountable,” authorities said.
Local officials have not released further details on Campbell’s background or potential motives beyond the video evidence.
Thomas, who has since replaced the damaged banner, expressed relief at the arrest but voiced concerns about the normalization of such acts. “I’m a Trump supporter,” he affirmed, underscoring his decision to maintain visible political displays despite the risks.
