Brentton McCullough Charged After UND Fraternity Threats

GRAND FORKS, ND (trfnews.i234.me) – A 29-year-old man is facing two felony charges after University of North Dakota police say he threatened to shoot up a fraternity house and assaulted a fraternity member during an early-morning confrontation.

Brentton Harper McCullough, 29, has been charged with Class C felony terrorizing with a dangerous weapon and Class C felony aggravated assault.

He also faces misdemeanor tampering with physical evidence and an infraction for unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, according to court records and declarations of probable cause filed by UND police.

Police Respond to Threats at UND Fraternity House

According to court documents, UND police officers were dispatched to a fraternity house at approximately 2:26 a.m. Sunday after receiving a report of a man making threats.

Dispatchers advised responding officers that the individual had reportedly claimed to have a gun.

Officers located McCullough outside the fraternity house, where three fraternity members identified him as the individual involved in the confrontation.

McCullough reportedly told police he had entered the property and attempted to get inside the house before fraternity members instructed him to leave.

Fraternity Member Allegedly Grabbed by Neck

According to the probable cause declarations, when fraternity members attempted to remove McCullough from the property, he allegedly grabbed one member by the neck, squeezed, and pushed him.

Police said the alleged assault briefly restricted blood flow but did not cause the fraternity member to lose consciousness.

Investigators allege McCullough then reached into his backpack while making threats toward the fraternity members.

According to a written statement cited in court documents, McCullough allegedly threatened to shoot those present and the fraternity house.

One reported statement included, “We’re going to shoot this place up.”

Despite the reported threats, officers did not locate a firearm.

Drug Paraphernalia Found During Investigation

Investigators said McCullough consented to a search of his backpack.

Inside, officers reportedly discovered a glass pipe containing marijuana residue.

A separate probable cause declaration describes an additional allegation involving suspected destruction of evidence after McCullough was arrested.

According to police, officers later discovered marijuana residue on the seat and floor of the patrol vehicle used to transport him.

Investigators said body camera and in-car video showed McCullough placing a bag containing marijuana into his pocket before removing and eating part of its contents.

Police said additional empty bags were discovered during a search at the Grand Forks County Correctional Center.

Four Charges Filed Against McCullough

According to the supplied court information, McCullough faces the following offenses:

Class C felony: Terrorizing with a dangerous weapon.
Class C felony: Aggravated assault.
Class A misdemeanor: Tampering with physical evidence.
Infraction: Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

The allegations involving the fraternity confrontation and the suspected destruction of evidence are described in separate probable cause declarations.

Grand Forks County Jail and Court Proceedings

McCullough was booked into the Grand Forks County Correctional Center following his arrest.

The initial report indicated his first court appearance was scheduled for Monday. The outcome of that appearance was not included in the supplied information.

No verified court file number, bail amount, or additional hearing information was provided.

The criminal charges remain allegations. McCullough is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.