One Dead, Officer Injured In Salt Lake Shooting

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – One person was killed and a Salt Lake City police officer was injured after another officer fired shots at a downtown apartment complex.

According to police, three officers were responding to a call for psychiatric help with a “mental health crisis” Monday afternoon when the shots were fired.

According to Sergeant Brandon Shearer with the Salt Lake City Police department, the shooting happened inside the Sunrise Metro Apartment Complex at 580 South 500 West.

Sergeant Shearer said the suspect presented a weapon and one officer discharged his sidearm, hitting the suspect and the other officer. He said it was a dynamic situation inside the apartment at the time the gun was fired.

.@slcpd UPDATE: Suspect presented weapon, officer fired shots and hit suspect as well as another officer; that officer, again, is out of the hospital and said to be in good condition @KSL5TV #KSLTV #Utah

— Andrew Adams (@AndrewAdamsKSL) July 16, 2019

Officials did not know how many shots were fired. It was unclear if the suspect’s weapon was fired, or what kind of weapon it was.

The identity of the person killed was not released, pending the notification of family members.

Shearer said the officer shot was released from the hospital and returned home to recover. It was not known when the officer would return to work.

MORE: SLC Shooting Puts Spotlight On Critical Incident Teams

“It was actually inside the apartment complex where the shooting occurred,” said Shearer.

Around 1:30 p.m., the officers responded to a 911 call for a psychiatric problem of some sort at the apartment complex.

“While the officers were there conducting an investigation, shots were fired,” said Shearer.

Witnesses and neighbors said they heard gunshots, and soon after say officers swarm the area.

“We just heard a POP! POP! POP! POP! POP! POP! POP! about that quickly,” said Scott Evans, the owner of an antique store across the street.

Police said one person was killed in the shooting. They have not said yet whether that’s the person who made the call for help. Police have not identified who died yet.

“It’s just sad that it didn’t turn out a little better than we’re hearing,” said Evans.

One person is dead, and a police officer is in stable condition after a 1:30 shooting at a #SaltLake apartment complex. Coming up at 5&6 @KSL5TV what kind of call prompted that response.. @kslnewsradio @slcpd pic.twitter.com/bL4Mye7WkZ

— Jed Boal (@jedboal) July 15, 2019

One officer was also shot. That officer was listed in stable condition. The exact nature of his injuries was not released.

Shearer said the Unified Police Department responded to the scene to take over the critical response investigation.

At one point, over 20 marked and unmarked police vehicles were at the scene.

Awaiting official details from @slcpd. VERY significant presence. I am personally counting AT LEAST 20 police cars in my field of view. Seeing officers on scene from multiple agencies @KSL5TV #KSLTV #Utah pic.twitter.com/6D4qPDS0Hk

— Andrew Adams (@AndrewAdamsKSL) July 15, 2019

One of the officers who responded to the call was a member of the Crisis Intervention Team. Those are officers specially trained to respond to crises involving mental health issues.

Officials were unable to say yet whether that was the officer who was injured.

“There were three officers on scene,” said Shearer. “I’m not sure who fired the shots. Again, that’ll be part of Unified Police’s investigation as they go through this.”

“It’s sad that an officer has been wounded,” said Evans. “We’re very surprised to heard this happening today. It’s tragic.”

Neighbors were trying to come to terms with what happened in their building.

“I’m one of the only residents – one of nine on the fourth floor – who can’t go up,” said Matt Hewitt, who said the area was usually much more quiet. “We’ve only had two incidents. This is the second one.”

Police did not have a lot of other details, but said the scene was safe and secure.

Officials closed 500 West from 500 South to 600 South while the investigation was underway. Crime scene tape blocked the roadway to northbound and southbound traffic.

For a brief time, the exit from Interstate 15 to 600 South was closed while officers worked at the end of the offramp.

Salt Lake police planned to release body camera video within 10 calendar days, pursuant with department policy. Shearer said officials would also conduct a walkthrough of the situation as it unfolded.