Flash Shelton has become a veritable household hero due to his ability to liberate properties from squatters, but despite a strong physical pedigree, the big man tells M&F that his true purpose is to de-escalate conflict, and he has some surprising ways to do so.
Who is Flash Shelton and how did he become a ‘Squatter Hunter’?
With a birth name like Flash, lead A&E’s popular reality-documentary the occupiers He was destined to become a superhero, but found his true identity when the repair and construction expert had his own traumatic experience with encroachers. The ordeal began in 2019 when Flash’s father passed away and his mother was living with him to prepare the house for sale. Surprisingly, a group of more than half a dozen squatters took up residence in its place.
When Flash reported the matter to the police, he became one of many citizens who found themselves embroiled in legal trouble. So the obedient son studied law and took matters into his own hands. Flash stakes out the house and waits for the group to leave the house before entering with a legal rental agreement signed by his mother. He then took possession of the property and threatened to prosecute until the gang packed up and left. Fortunately, he did just that, and this origin story became the beginning of a career that gives life back to those left in limbo by squatters.
“There was a problem, and it’s a worldwide problem,” says Flash. “I felt like I needed to work to change the laws. I was getting a lot of attention, and I wanted to put it toward something good.”
Flash Shelton’s background in boxing, security and de-escalation
Of course, dealing with trespassers isn’t without its risks, but Flash can definitely hold his own. “I started out as a bouncer when I was 21,” he says. “Then I won a boxing competition. I always say I’m original.” Roadhouse Because that’s what I did. I traveled and cleaned bars and trained bouncers.” Flash’s skills also extend to Wing Chun Kung Fu; A Southern Chinese martial art designed for close-range self-defense.
Despite these physical abilities, Flash says the last thing he wants to do with an intruder is fight, and he has a surprising technique for staying away from violence, earning certification in deescalation techniques and practicing meditation to defuse situations when stepping into the unknown. “The Occupants have this entitled personality,” explains Flash. “I meditate a little bit beforehand, so I can get my heart rate down, and I’m not already going in with adrenaline. Because if my physical body is already aroused when we have our first confrontation, I’m going to have a much harder time.”
When the Flash is physically injured, he uses his powers to protect the safety of himself and his team members, such as his son Michael, or co-worker Cameron… and even squatters. Instead of becoming aggressive, Flash uses his powers to slow things down. Flash recalls, “In one episode, I actually stopped a gentleman so that Cam could catch a pole-like weapon he had in his hand.”
How Flash Shelton got homes back from squatters
In another episode of usurpers, Flash uses psychological techniques to ward off uninvited guests. By creating a fear of snakes, hunters placed reptiles around the property to make the environment more extreme for unwanted trespassers. Flash explains that becoming a nightmare roommate is another trick that often creeps out the intruder.
Of course, the Flash didn’t choose to be a squatter hunter, but loopholes in the law and powerless police forces have created a need for this de facto superhero who has some wise advice for those who want to escape their own squatter nightmare.
“If my mom had basically had a camera at home, I wouldn’t be a squatter hunter today,” he explains. “Cameras prove who entered, when they entered and how they entered. “It could be the difference between a tenant gaining their rights or being arrested for trespassing or breaking and entering.”
the occupiers Airs Tuesdays at 10PM and 10:30PM ET/PT on A&E. Episodes will be available to stream on demand and on the A&E app the next day.
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