CRIME

Man who grabbed Sandy officer’s gun and fired it in 2021, sentenced to 9 years in prison

Feb 7, 2024, 1:37 PM | Updated: 1:39 pm

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah man who grabbed a gun from a Sandy police officer and shot it during an arrest in 2021 is headed to prison.

On Jan. 16, Brandon Keith Thompson, 43, was sentenced to over nine years of imprisonment and three years of supervised release after a federal grand jury found him guilty of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

On July 8, 2021, an alarm was set off at a Sandy AT&T store on 11316 S. State when Thompson removed a security device from an Apple Watch. According to court documents, when store employees questioned Thompson about the alarm, they noticed a second Apple Watch missing and called the police.

When Sandy police officers arrived, Thompson fled the store, and two officers chased him to the parking lot while giving commands to stop and attempted to physically detain him.

Thompson running from Sandy police officers in the parking lot.

Thompson running from Sandy police officers in the parking lot. (The Sandy Police Department)

 

“Thompson grabbed an officer’s firearm, which was holstered, and pulled on it with such force that the firearm began to move up out of the holster,” stated a United States Attorney’s Office press release.

A retired police officer noticed the struggle and ran over to help officers to detain Thompson.

According to court documents, Thompson placed his finger on the firearm’s trigger and fired the weapon as it was partially holstered. Thompson kept his grip on the gun and continued to pull on it as the officers attempted to control Thompson.

Thompson grabbing hold the the officer gun during the struggle.

Thompson grabbing hold of the officer’s gun during the struggle. (The Sandy Police Department)

In body camera footage obtained by KSL TV, an officer used a Taser on Thompson twice to detain him. After the shocks, officers were able to restrain Thompson and bring him to the ground.

Footage shows Thompson repeatedly claiming that the officer was the one who tried to shoot him, denying he grabbed the gun and ran because the Sandy police officer grabbed him in the store for no reason.

The fired bullet struck the ground but almost hit the officers, according to the press release. Court documents state the missing Apple Watch was found in a drawer next to where Thompson was standing.

Officers and Thompson struggling on the ground for possession of the firearm.

Officers and Thompson struggling on the ground for possession of the firearm. (The Sandy Police Department)

Court records show this is Thompson’s third federal conviction for possession of a firearm while being a convicted felon. Thompson has filed to appeal the federal charge.

On Monday, Thompson pleaded guilty to a class-a misdemeanor charge of failing to stop at the command of a police officer during a domestic situation in February 2021 and a third-degree felony burglary charge that happened in June 2021.

Court records show Thompson still faces multiple other charges from cases in 2020 to 2021, including an assault case, two other cases of failing to stop at the command of a police officer, and shoplifting.

KSL 5 TV Live

Crime

Video of the burglar peaking inside of one of the West Valley City homes that was broken into....

Pat Reavy, KSL.com

Police arrest suspected serial burglar linked to at least 8 West Valley City break-Ins

A man with a history of breaking into homes and garages, taking items and selling them at pawn shops has been arrested following a rash of burglaries in West Valley City.

10 hours ago

Crime scene investigators are seen at the fatal Ogden hit-and-run on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (KSL...

Jacob Freeman

Ogden hit-and-run driver washed car ‘just feet from victim’ after accident, police say

The driver in an Ogden parking lot hit-and-run that killed one washed his car "just feet from the victim" after the accident, police said.

11 hours ago

Emergency lights...

Jacob Freeman

Gunshots reported at Halloween party near University of Utah

An investigation has been launched after gunshots were heard at a large party near the University of Utah just before midnight on Halloween, police said.

15 hours ago

(KSL TV)...

Carlysle Price

Police: Shots fired during armed robbery investigation

An officer-involved shooting occurred Thursday night while police were investigating two armed robberies.

15 hours ago

FILE PHOTO: Utah Highway Patrol...

Brianna Chavez

UHP increasing presence on roads during Halloween weekend to stop DUI drivers

The Utah Highway Patrol is urging drivers to find a sober ride or drive sober for Halloween.

1 day ago

Salt Lake City SWAT and police on the scene of a domestic violence incident on Oct. 31, 2024....

Michael Houck and Mary Culbertson, KSL TV

Police: Man arrested after barricading himself, a woman against her will in Salt Lake apartment

SWAT teams are on the scene of a domestic violence incident involving a man who locked himself in a woman's apartment Thursday night. 

1 day ago

Sponsored Articles

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

family having fun at home...

Lighting Design

Discover the impact of lighting on your mood

From color temperature to lighting saturation, we tackle how different lighting design setups can impact your day-to-day mood.

Laptops in a modern technology store. Department of computers in the electronics store. Choosing a ...

PC Laptops

How to choose the best laptop for college students

Finding the right laptop for college students can be hard, but with this guide we break down what to look for so you can find the best one.

young male technician is repairing a printer at office...

Les Olson

Unraveling the dilemma between leasing and buying office technology

Carefully weigh these pros and cons to make an informed decision that best suits your business growth and day-to-day operation. 

A kitchen in a modern farmhouse....

Lighting Design

A room-by-room lighting guide for your home

Bookmark this room-by-room lighting guide whenever you decide to upgrade your lighting or style a new home.

Photo courtesy of Artists of Ballet West...

Ballet West

The rising demand for ballet tickets: why they’re harder to get

Ballet West’s box office is experiencing demand they’ve never seen before, leaving many interested patrons unable to secure tickets they want.

Man who grabbed Sandy officer’s gun and fired it in 2021, sentenced to 9 years in prison