I would imagine being armed had a lot to do with it. That would cover the “by...intimidation, or threat...” part of Section 372.
Guns change the complexion of everything. I’m about as pro-gun a person as you’re going to meet, but I know that if you bring weapons to a “sit-in” you’re raising the stakes a few notches. This was not the most well-thought-out maneuver on the ranchers’ part.
What originally caused the white SUV to bolt off towards what I’d call an ambush? Was it shots-fired from the feds on his tail?