Co-Leader of Philly Area Nazi group, S14, Dies: Her Newborn Struggling On Life Support

Normally, “Sara Sheaffer-Kauffman, Rot In Hell” would be the headline greeting you. But we weren’t feeling it this time because—and ONLY because—of her baby Elle. Let’s not get this twisted. The only innocent in this disturbing neo-Nazi saga is the infant currently fighting for her life. Her drug-addled Nazi parents, who were founders and members of at least three fascist organizations in PA, are not getting sympathy from us.

In June, neo-Nazi Storm Division (S14) founders Mark Kauffman and Sara Sheaffer tried to get married. Their wedding celebrations were interrupted because Mark, 32, was picked up at the venue by law enforcement. He had an outstanding warrant in Massachusetts for drug trafficking and weapons charges from six years ago. Kauffman managed to post bail and the couple wed, though in a much smaller ceremony. Six months later, Sara, 29, was dead.

Sara Kauffman’s death was announced on Jan. 12 on a GoFundMe campaign set up for her and her baby. She was 32 weeks pregnant Sept. 12 when she suffered a heart attack while driving Mark to work in South Philadelphia. After Mark flagged down a Black police officer, who immediately began CPR, Sara was transported to the University of Pennsylvania hospital. She then had a second massive heart attack, while the doctors performed an emergency c-section. Sara suffered massive brain damage, never woke up, and died on Jan. 6. Their baby has been in the hospital since the birth and intubated as doctors are working to save her life.

According to a July article, Sara and Mark were co-leaders of S14. This group is active on the social platform Telegram, encouraging pop-up style protests – surprise rallies – to avoid opposition, and vandalizing neighborhoods with Nazi stickers, spray paint and flyers. Sara can be seen in many photos participating in these events. S14 works closely and shares members with White Lives Matter PA, New Jersey European Heritage Association and the now defunct Embrace Struggle Active Club. Sara and Mark attended flash mob style demonstrations with all of these groups. They promoted their groups’ hate activities alongside these other groups. They recruited members such as convicted sex offender Ben Ryder, for demonstrations.

Sheaffer and Kauffman holding a new S14 flag at an action in Easton PA with S14, NJEHA, Embrace Struggle Active Club, and other fascists. Sara is in the foreground.

Both Mark, an Army veteran, and Sara were using hard drugs in 2018 and living in Massachusetts when there was an arrest warrant issued for him, after a shotgun, rocket launcher and methamphetamine were found in a storage unit in Hadley, Mass., that was connected to him. The couple fled to Philadelphia before he was arrested, after evading his legal troubles for years. In June 2024, wedding announcements and websites led authorities to finally catch up with him. Mark was arrested on the night before their wedding in the Airbnb they had rented for the occasion. The couple married in July 2024, after Mark posted bail.

Mark Kauffman is still out on bail. No further information about his case has been released.

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