The student who led a group of protesters’ stomp fest on an American flag — the flag which was rescued by military veteran Michelle Manhart — is now considered “armed and dangerous” and wanted by police.
Eric Sheppard, who on Tuesday was noted by several witnesses as “making threats” to people in front of the Valdosta State University library, was confronted by police shortly thereafter.
But prior to the encounter and then-unknown to the police, Sheppard had dropped a backpack, authorities said, which contained a gun and two clips. Once the cops let Sheppard go after the library encounter, the student went into hiding.
Just minutes after dozens of police officers intensified their manhunt for Eric Sheppard, around a Valdosta neighborhood Wednesday afternoon; Sheppard’s father went in front of a FOX 5 camera and made a plea to his son.
“Son, you know we love you and have always taught you to do the right thing,” Eric Sheppard Sr. said. “Please make the right decision and turn yourself in to either the authorities or to me.”
The 22-year-old Valdosta State University student is considered by police to be in hiding, and “armed and dangerous.” Police say he is from College Park and could be headed toward the Atlanta area.
Wednesday afternoon a resident in a neighborhood just off campus, reported seeing Sheppard in a backyard. Dozens of officers and a K9 searched the area, but found nothing.
And that is only adding to the anxiety many on campus are feeling. Several students tell FOX 5, they didn’t go to classWednesday out of fear.
“My girlfriend was scared to walk across campus alone, I’ve been with her all day,” VSU student Trae Bryant said. “I think everybody’s on edge.”
During Sheppard’s American flag stomp-and-burn protest, he yammered that Old Glory “represented ‘white supremacy and racism.'”
In a video he made, he said “I’m a terrorist towards lies … I’m a terrorist toward lairs and those who are weak. So yes I am a terrorist toward white people.”
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