Lawrence Dunlap, a 37-year-old skateboarder and outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump, may soon return to the skatepark after being incarcerated since his April arrest. Dunlap faces 11 felony counts of criminal mischief for allegedly vandalizing vehicles parked outside the New Hampshire GOP convention at Concord High School on April 14.
Reports indicate that numerous Republican volunteers discovered their cars had been keyed during the event. Surveillance footage identified Dunlap, leading to his arrest and the discovery of several firearms, including an AR-15 rifle, and a variety of items such as latex gloves, face masks, and a medieval-style mace during a subsequent search of his South Spring Street residence.
In an August 1 court filing, Assistant Merrimack County Attorney Carley McWhirk requested additional time to file indictments against Dunlap. The extension aims to facilitate plea negotiations. “The State and defense have discussed bail concerns as well as an ultimate disposition in these matters. The parties are working towards a resolution and anticipate an agreed-upon resolution in September,” McWhirk noted.
Dunlap has been held without bail since his arrest due to concerns about public safety. His detention followed the discovery of a document, described as either a suicide note or manifesto, in which Dunlap expressed intense anti-Trump sentiments and a disdain for societal norms.
“I can’t continue to exist for everyone else,” the manifesto reportedly stated. “I truly despise humanity and all the filth we have accepted as acceptable. This world and economy require personalities like Scott Herzog and Donald Trump. I’m sorry for the pain I know I will cause with this decision. Have me cremated and throw the ashes in the trash.”
The document’s full content remains confidential, as Concord Police have denied NHJournal’s request for access. The manifesto’s mention of Scott Herzog, a Massachusetts businessman sentenced for tax evasion, remains unexplained. Herzog’s criminal case has no apparent connection to Dunlap’s activities.
Dunlap’s social media posts revealed a pattern of anti-Trump rhetoric, particularly in response to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. In one post, he criticized Trump supporters’ reactions to President Obama’s healthcare reforms and condemned Trump’s actions during his presidency.
In recent months, Dunlap’s personal struggles have included job loss and severe mental health issues, as noted by his wife in communications with the police.
Dunlap’s case bears similarities to the recent attempted assassination of Trump by Thomas Crooks, who targeted the former president at a rally in Pennsylvania. Although Crooks’s motives remain unclear, his attack underscores the heightened tensions and threats facing political figures.
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