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COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — A Cottonwood Heights man was charged Friday with pointing a realistic looking gun at police and then fighting with officers.
Sven Brighton Oakeson, 27, is charged in 3rd District Court with two counts of assault on an officer, a second-degree felony; marijuana possession and interfering with an officer, class B misdemeanors; and disorderly conduct due, a class C misdemeanor.
On Oct. 23, police responded to the area of 6900 South and 2300 East on a report of a man "walking down the street with a large gun, pointing it at passing vehicles." When the first officer arrived, he got out of his patrol car and Oakeson pointed the gun at him, according to charging documents.
The officer, however, was able to calm Oakeson down by talking to him.
"When asked why he was pointing the gun at vehicles, Oakeson said he was 'practicing.' (The officer) convinced Oakeson to put the gun away," the charges state.
When a second officer arrived, Oakeson began backing away despite orders from police telling him to stop. After again ordering Oakeson to "stop walking away," Oakeson "pulled out the gun and pointed it" at the two officers, according to the charges.
But rather than use deadly force, the officers attempted to grab Oakeson and a struggle ensued.
"Oakeson was taken to the ground and during the struggle, Oakeson punched (an officer) in the face and kicked (a second officer) in the back," the charges state. "The gun was then determined to be a realistic looking toy gun."
Oakeson was detained and arrested.
