SWANNANOA, N.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office said a man convicted of assault with a deadly weapon after a violent incident at a political event last year will not serve time in prison.

A jury convicted 55-year-old Leif Brynolf Johnson of two counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, disorderly conduct, and simple assault.

Johnson was arrested during President Donald Trump’s visit to western North Carolina on Oct. 21, 2024 in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

While officers were coordinating security for Trump’s motorcade, Johnson began causing a public disturbance. He yelled and confronted people around him. When he approached an elderly veteran in a wheelchair, bystanders intervened.

One of the bystanders was a 12-year-old b

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