A shooting during a large “No Kings” protest that left one person critically injured “does not define our city,” Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said.
“The purpose of today’s demonstration was a powerful and peaceful expression until this event, and that cannot be overshadowed or silenced by a single act meant to harm,” she told reporters a few blocks from the shooting in downtown Salt Lake City on Saturday night. “I want to urge everyone in the public to be calm, to give one another grace and to look out for one another tonight in the coming days.”
Three people also believed to be part of the incident were taken into custody, one of whom was also apparently shot as everything unfolded, according to Salt Lake police. He was transported to a hospital in serious condition.
A motive has yet to be determined, and it was unclear if any of the people knew each other, Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd added.
Officers responded to a report of a shooting near 151 S. State shortly before 8 p.m. It took place as an estimated 10,000 people marched downtown to protest recent federal policy decisions.
At least three shots rang out, causing some people in the immediate area to flee, according to videos near the incident obtained by KSL. Several other videos were also uploaded to social media.
A woman identified only as Autumn said she and her nephew heard the shots fired downtown, ducked into a nearby garage and saw a person on the ground.
“I was shaking, I was very nervous. I’ve heard gunshots before, I’ve seen shootings before, but in such a big crowd, not knowing where they’re coming from, it’s a lot more scary,” she told KSL.
John Cedarland was in the middle of a conversation when the shooting happened. He didn’t hear the shots but saw people running and screaming in response.
“I’m old and I’ve seen scary things, but there were moments there that I was truly gripped with fear,” Cedarland said.
Many others in the area helped officers, who were already in the area to monitor the protest, track down the shooter and take him into custody, Redd said. The person who was shot, whose name and age have not yet been released, was transported to a nearby hospital with injuries believed to be life-threatening.
Police said one of the “involved parties” was taken into custody near 200 East and 100 South. They believe there are no other “outstanding individuals associated with the incident.”
Officers have already interviewed over a dozen witnesses and are aware of videos circulating online, Redd said. The many videos will also be used in the department’s investigation.
It’s unclear yet if the shooting had any ties to the event or anything related to politics, he added.
“It appears they were involved at some level in the protest or at least part of the group that was walking, he said.
Witnesses or anyone with any information about the incident are asked to call Salt Lake police at 801-799-3000.
Gov. Spencer Cox posted on social media that he had spoken with Mendenhall about the incident. Mendenhall said she called the governor to update him on the situation, and he relayed his support for the city’s first responders.
“The shooting at tonight’s protest in Salt Lake City is a deeply troubling act of violence and has no place in our public square,” Cox wrote. “This is an active situation, and we’re working closely with law enforcement to ensure accountability.”
Early Saturday protest in Utah
The Saturday evening march began at Pioneer Park. It was one of many throughout the state and the country Saturday protesting the Trump administration.
About 4,000 Utahns attended a protest at the University of Utah earlier in the day.
“This is your home. Do not be driven from it. We can make America what America must become,” said Sarah Buck, who is with the organization Salt Lake Indivisible, which helped organize Saturday’s “No Kings” protest outside the J. Willard Marriott Library.
“Right now, many of our actions seem to be falling on deaf ears, but we must persist. We have to wear them down,” she said, adding that everyone needs to continue showing up at events to show the will of the people. “Join us in standing up for our democracy.”
From chants about democracy to immigration, the crowd held up signs, cheered the various speakers and waved American flags. Protesters filled the library plaza and surrounding grassy areas.
Talks of tyranny, defying courts, the power of the people and more proliferated through the speeches that were given. The protest included musical numbers “You’ll Be Back” from Broadway’s “Hamilton” and “Do You Hear The People Sing” from “Les Misérables.”
“Our democracy is not yet dead, but it is barely breathing,” University of Utah law professor Teneille Brown said. The “Democratic Party has lost its compass and the Republican Party has lost its soul.”
