Brandon McCormick: Man who aimed crossbow at George Floyd protestors facing criminal charges

He has been charged with two counts of possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person
David Child5 June 2020

A man who aimed his crossbow at a group of protesters in Salt Lake City as they demonstrated over the death of George Floyd is now facing criminal charges.

Brandon McCormick has been charged with two counts of possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, District Attorney Sim Gill said in a statement on Thursday.

The 57-year-old has also been charged with one count of aggravated assault, and one count of threatening or using a dangerous weapon in a fight.

"These are allegations, Mr. McCormick is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law," Gill's statement said.

Brandon McCormick watches during a demonstration in Salt Lake City
AP

"The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office continues to gather evidence regarding this incident."

Video footage of the incident shows Mr McCormick loading his bow and loudly saying "I'm an American. All lives matter" after climbing out of his car to confront protesters at a busy intersection.

Several of the demonstrators retaliated by punching, kicking and throwing things at him, according to local media reports.

His vehicle was also flipped over and subsequently caught fire.

Immediately after the incident, Mr McCormick told local Fox news affiliate KSTU that "he got beat up" when he yelled "all lives matter," and then again after he pulled out his weapons.

He appeared to have a black eye and a cut along his forehead.

George Floyd Protests - In pictures

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"I back up the law enforcement. I know some cops are bad. I know all racists are bad," he said.

"I have been marching with these people all the way down here, and all the way down here trying to convince them all lives matter."

Despite his account of the incident, Mr McCormick did not appear to be visibly injured prior to aiming his bow at protesters.

The local Salt Lake Tribune newspaper has since reported that Mr McCormick has a criminal record, including charges related to a road rage incident in May.

He spent nearly two decades in jail in California, and has been convicted of battery against a public safety officer, the Tribune reported.

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