Newport Man Charged With Brandishing A Loaded Gun At A Protest

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — A 48-year-old Newport Beach man faces misdemeanor charges of brandishing a gun during a Black Lives Matter protest in Newport Beach in June.

Travis Patrick White was charged Thursday with brandishing a firearm in public and possession of a loaded firearm in a public place. He could face up to two years in jail.

White is scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 20 in the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach.

During a protest in June, White, wearing a bathing suit and backpack engaged in a war or words with a Black Lives Matter protester.

According to the video, White yelled racial slurs at Black Lives Matter protesters during the June 4 demonstration in Newport Beach.

When an activist who confronted him about alleged slurs he was making, White pulled a loaded gun from his backpack, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office. The entire event was captured on video.

According to prosecutors, White cocked the weapon and pointed it toward the sky.

"It is scary that someone who disagrees with your right to express yourself freely during a peaceful protest would elevate that to the level of lethal force," said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. "That should cause all of us alarm."

Spitzer added, "This individual brought a gun to a peaceful protest. He was looking for a confrontation and when confronted with opinions that he disagrees with, he pulled out his gun.

"That is not the America we want and those actions will not be tolerated," Spitzer continued. "The freedom of speech and the right to peacefully protest are rights afforded to all Americans and the Orange County District Attorney's Office will always protect the public's right to be heard."

Also in Newport Beach on Wednesday, one person was arrested after driving a car through a crowd of protesters.

Warning. This video may be disturbing to some viewers, contains strong language, weapon.

@CNN man pulled a gun on peaceful protestors in Newport Beach, California. pic.twitter.com/hGqAWExLZu
— Oliver (@OllyPO) June 4, 2020