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COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — A man wielding two swords was shot and killed by police on Halloween.
On Monday, Cottonwood Heights police released the body camera video from the officer who assisted with the call and deployed a Taser.
Mark Brunson, 38, was shot twice by a Unified police officer and killed.
The Oct. 31 incident began when Unified police responded to a possible domestic violence situation at a home in Midvale near Fort Union Boulevard and 200 East just before 11 p.m. As officers were arriving, they spotted Brunson leaving the home.
Brunson had a "notable criminal history" which "resulted in a high-risk situation" due to the "volatility of apparent mental health issues mixed with alleged substance abuse," according to a statement from Cottonwood Heights police.
Police say Brunson drove away from the scene and took two 2-foot long swords with him. A short police pursuit ended just over a mile away in Cottonwood Heights in a residential cul-de-sac, Creekcove Circle. According to police, Brunson got out of his car and brandished the swords at Unified and Cottonwood Heights police officers.
In the body camera video released Monday, a Cottonwood Heights officer arrives on scene as other officers who were chasing Brunson have their guns drawn and are taking cover behind vehicles. Brunson, who is wearing red shorts and no shirt, is swinging a sword in each hand and appears to take a few steps toward the officers.
"Drop it right now. Get on the ground," officers command Brunson.
But as Brunson is moving toward police, a Unified officer fires two shots and a Cottonwood Heights officer deploys a Taser at almost the same time. One officer is heard saying "Taser" after the shots have already been fired.
"Mr. Brunson exited his vehicle and quickly approached the officers while wielding an approximately 27-inch-long sword in each hand," according to a statement from police.
The officers are seen getting gauze and first aid supplies from their vehicles and starting to apply direct pressure to Brunson's wounds. Officers say they can still feel a pulse and he is breathing. But Brunson shows very little movement in the video after being shot and officers soon start doing CPR. A few minutes later, emergency crews can no longer find a pulse and declare Brunson deceased.
"Heartfelt sympathies are extended to Mr. Brunson's loved ones during this trying time. I also acknowledge the complexities faced by law enforcement officers when they face such challenging situations, knowingly putting themselves in harm's way, as they endeavor to maintain the delicate balance between performing law enforcement duties and ensuring public safety," Cottonwood Heights Police Chief Robby Russo said in a statement Monday.
Russo also commended the officers on scene "for their gallant conduct and efforts in rendering aid" following the shooting.
"I believe that their swift and professional response to this threat underscored their bravery as they acted as a barrier between the armed individual and the citizens they are sworn to protect," Russo said.
Russo said the officer-involved critical incident protocol team assigned to investigate the shooting had completed its case, which will now be reviewed by the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office. It will determine whether the use of deadly force by the officer was legally justified.
