Flash Shelton has become a literal household hero thanks to his ability to liberate properties from the stranglehold of squatters, but despite a strong physical pedigree, this big man tells M&F that his real aim is to deescalate conflict, and he has some surprising methods for doing so.
Who Is Flash Shelton and How Did He Become the ‘Squatter Hunter’?
With a birthname like Flash, the lead of A&E’s popular reality-docuseries Squatters was destined to be a superhero, but his true calling came when the repair and construction expert had his own traumatic experience with squatters. The ordeal began in 2019 when Flash’s father passed away and his mom was living with him, so that the house could be readied for sale. Shockingly, a group of more than half-a-dozen squatters took up residence instead.
When Flash reported the matter to the police, he became one of the many citizens who find themselves in a legal gridlock. So the dutiful son studied the law and took matters into his own hands. Flash staked out the home and waited for the group to leave the house before entering with a legal rental agreement signed by his mom. He then took back possession of the property and threatened prosecution unless the gang packed up and left. Fortunately, they did just that, and this origin story became the beginning of a career that gives life back those who are in limbo because of squatters.
“There was a problem, and it’s a worldwide problem,” says Flash. “I felt like I needed to work to change laws. I was getting a lot of attention, and I wanted to put that toward something good.”
Flash Shelton’s Background in Boxing, Security, and De-escalation
Of course, tackling trespassers is not without risk, but Flash can certainly stick up for himself. “I started out as a bouncer at 21 years old,” he explains. “Then I won a boxing competition. I always say that I’m the original Roadhouse because that’s what I did. I traveled and cleaned up bars and trained bouncers.” Flash’s skills also extend to Wing Chun Kung Fu; a Southern Chinese martial art designed for close-range self-defence.
Despite these physical capabilities, Flash says that the last thing he wants do to with a squatter is fight, and he has a surprising technique to veer away from violence, earning certification in deescalation techniques and practicing meditation to calm situations down when stepping into the unknown. “Squatters have this entitled personality,” explains Flash. “I meditate a little bit prior, so that I can lower my heart rate, and I’m not going in with adrenaline already. Because if my physical body is already escalated when we have our first confrontation, I’m going to have a very difficult time.”
When Flash does get physical, he uses his powers to defend the safety of himself and members of his team like his son Michael, or colleague Cameron…and even the squatter. Rather than become the aggressor, Flash uses his strength to slow things down. “In one episode, I actually restrained a gentleman so that Cam could grab a pole-like weapon that he had in his hand,” recalls Flash.
How Flash Shelton Reclaims Homes From Squatters
In another episode of Squatters, Flash uses psychological techniques to flush out the uninvited guests. By preying on a fear of snakes, the hunter placed reptiles around the property to make the environment too extreme for the unwanted squatter. Flash explains that becoming a nightmare roommate is another trick that often ousts the trespasser.
Of course, Flash didn’t choose to be a Squatter Hunter, but gaps in the law and powerless police forces have created a need for this very real superhero, who has some sage advice for those wanting to avoid their own squatter nightmare.
“If I had a camera on my mom’s house originally, I wouldn’t be the Squatter Hunter today,” he explains. “Cameras prove who entered, when they entered, and how they entered. “That could be the difference between them gaining tenant rights or being arrested for trespassing or breaking and entering.”
Squatters airs Tuesdays at 10 pm and 10:30 pm ET/PT on A&E. Episodes will be available next day On Demand and to stream on the A&E App.
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