SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Aug. 31, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office has ruled the fatal shooting of a drunken sword-wielding man in Cottonwood Heights on Oct. 31, 2023 was justified.
According to the DA’s report, a Unified Police Department officer from the Midvale precinct fired his weapon at the same time a Cottonwood Heights officer fired a taser at Mark Cory Brunson.
“Based upon the facts in this case, as outlined here, we believe that it is reasonable for us to infer that Officer (Leo) Lopez believed he needed to use deadly force against Mr. Brunson to prevent death or serious bodily injury to themselves and others, and such belief was reasonable.”
The shooting happened shortly after 11 p.m. in a Cottonwood Heights cul-de-sac.
Brunson, 38, had been pursued by officers after he drove from a location in Midvale where an ambulance crew had been called to help a man, described as “intoxicated and very angry,” who had suffered a head wound from a ceiling fan.
The short chase ended at a cul-de-sac at Creekcove Circle, near 6850 S 1130 East, according to Gill’s press release.
Brunson at first got out of his vehicle with his hands up, the release said.
“As captured on body-worn camera, Mr. Brunson is heard clearly yelling “F— this,” before returning to his vehicle, dropping his hands, and reaching into the open driver compartment.”
Brunson then left his vehicle holding two black steel swords, each approximately 27 inches long. He turned to face the officers and then walked toward them, ignoring their commands.
After walking some 30 feet toward the officers, swinging the swords “violently and aggressively,” he came within about 10 feet of Unified Officer Lopez and Cottonwood Heights Officer Eryn Sustaya, at which point “Officer Sustaya deployed her taser, and almost immediately after, Officer Lopez fired his handgun two times.”
Brunson was declared dead at the scene after officers and medical personnel attempted emergency aid.
In accordance with Officer-Involved Critical Incident protocol, outside agencies, led by the West Jordan Police Department, conducted the investigation into the fatal encounter.
