Man who threatened protesters with a bow and arrow is sentenced to jail

The man who pointed a bow and arrow at protesters in May has been sentenced to a year in jail.

In September, Brandon McCormick, 58, pleaded guilty to possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person and aggravated assault, both third-degree felonies. On Monday, he was sentenced to the jail time and probation and was fined $5,000.

On May 30, hundreds of people — sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis — gathered near Salt Lake City Hall and the downtown library to protest against racism and police violence. McCormick drove to the protest and parked his car in front of the library where many demonstrators had gathered.

Video captured McCormick in an argument with some protesters, and showed him getting a bow and arrow out of his car and pointing it at several people. According to witnesses, he waved a knife at protesters, shouted racial slurs and threatened to shoot them with the bow and arrow.

Police eventually intervened after McCormick was overwhelmed and bloodied by some of the people he was threatening. Officers pulled him from the crowd and released him as his car was flipped over and set on fire. McCormick was not arrested that day, but was later charged with four counts; a second count of possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person and a misdemeanor charge of using a dangerous weapon in a fight were dismissed as part of a plea deal.

At his sentencing, McCormick was ordered to undergo mental health evaluations and surrender any weapons he owns. Two consecutive terms of up to five years in prison were suspended, but he could end up serving that time if he violates his probation.