ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW.com) — A jury has convicted a man on three charges in connection with an assault on an undercover Asheville Police lieutenant on July 4, 2022, following a demonstration at Pack Square Park.

According to the Buncombe County District Attorney’s office, David Paul Erickson, was convicted on Thursday (March 28) of: assault by strangulation, assault on a government official and resisting a public officer.

Visiting Superior Court Judge Karen Eady-Williams of Mecklenburg County sentenced Erickson to a suspended six- to 17-months, plus a term of supervised probation.

The incident was reported July 4, 2022, when Asheville Police Lt. Tammy Flanigan-Bryson was working undercover near the site of the former Vance Monument at downtown’s Pack Square Park. According to a release from the district attorney, Flanigan-Bryson observed an argument in a nearby group of people, and saw Erickson use pepper spray against another man.

Erickson reportedly walked away from the incident with his bicycle, and the undercover lieutenant radioed to other officers working in the area. When no other officers were able to respond, Flanigan-Bryson pursued the man and attempted to stop him from leaving the area.

The release stated: “Lt. Flanigan-Bryson grabbed the handlebar of Erickson’s bike and identified herself as an APD officer. Erickson responded by grabbing Lt. Flanigan-Bryson by the throat and squeezing for a period of time, causing her to black out.”

At trial, Flanigan-Bryson testified about other serious incidents during her 27-year law enforcement career, including times when shots were fired at her or she had been struck or seriously injured, the district attorney’s office stated.

“The assault by strangulation, she testified, was the most terrifying thing to have happened to her while on duty,” the release stated.

UPDATE: Asheville Police responded to the verdict in a statement released Monday by public information officer Rick Rice:
“The safety and well-being of our officers is a primary concern of our agency, and any assault against them is deeply concerning. We are thankful that Lieutenant Flanigan-Bryson did not suffer any lasting injuries from the attack against her, and we are proud of her efforts on the street that day and for her subsequent court testimony. We would like to express our appreciation to the District Attorney’s Office for their efforts in securing some measure of justice for her following this traumatic incident.”
This story was updated April 1 to include the reaction statement from Asheville Police.