Flag-Stomping, 'Terrorist' Fugitive Arrested in Tampa

Check out the video at the bottom of this post to hear Eric Sheppard’s on-campus interview.

The Valdosta State University student who has been on the lam since a gun was found in a backpack he owns during an April protest against racism has been arrested in Tampa.

Eric Sheppard, 21, was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail Thursday morning after being arrested by Tampa Police officers. He listed his home address as 2025 Balfour Circle in Tampa, which was also the arrest location, jail records indicate. The address is located in the Palm River area.

The hunt for Sheppard, who calls himself a terrorist against white people, began in April following on on-campus protest during which Sheppard is accused of bringing a gun, the Washington Post reported.

Sheppard was also filmed stomping on an American flag during the protest. The video sparked an online “challenge” that went viral in support of the Georgia college student, dubbed “The Eric Sheppard challenge,” the Times reported, noting that Sheppard is also a member of the New Black Panther Party.

See Also:

• UF Shuts Down Frat Accused of Harassing Wounded Veterans
• Sex on the Beach Woman Sentenced
• 2 Police K9s Die After Being Left in SUV

The stomping incident itself became a national story when veteran Michelle Manhart was recorded taking the flag Sheppard was stomping on. She refused to give it back and was detained by police for a time, WCTV reported.

Sheppard explained his stance on the flag in a video that was posted to YouTube related to the initial April protests.

“That flag represents white supremacy racism, which is plaguing the entire earth, so when we step on that flag we are stepping on racism, white supremacy,” Sheppard was quoted in the video as saying. He also identified himself as a terrorist against white people in the video.

Sheppard was being held without bond in the Hillsborough County Jail Thursday, awaiting extradition to Lowndes County, Georgia.

Booking photo courtesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office

Keep up with what’s happening around town and the state by signing up for your favorite Patch daily newsletter: Bloomingdale-Riverview, Bradenton, Brandon, Carrollwood-Northdale, Clearwater, Dunedin, East Lake, Gulfport, Land O’ Lakes, Largo, Lutz, New Port Richey, New Tampa, Palm Harbor, Pinellas Beaches, Safety Harbor, Sarasota, Seminole Heights, South Tampa-Hyde Park, St. Pete, Tarpon Springs, Temple Terrace, Westchase.