Salt Lake City Protest Marred by Shooting, One Critically Injured; Three in Custody
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – A large “No Kings” protest in downtown Salt Lake City on Saturday, June 14, 2025, took a violent turn when a shooting occurred, leaving one person critically injured and sending an estimated 10,000 demonstrators scrambling for safety. Three individuals, including the suspected shooter, are now in police custody.
The incident unfolded shortly before 8 p.m. near 151 South State Street, a main thoroughfare. Officers, who were already present to monitor the permitted march, heard gunshots and immediately responded to the scene. They discovered one individual with a critical, life-threatening gunshot wound. That person was transported to a local hospital.
Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd stated that preliminary information suggests four people were involved in the shooting. With the assistance of witnesses, officers quickly located and apprehended one person, believed to be the shooter, near 200 East 100 South. This individual also sustained a gunshot wound and is currently hospitalized under police supervision. Two additional people were later taken into custody in connection with the incident.
The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation, and authorities have not yet determined if the individuals involved knew each other or if the act was politically motivated. Chief Redd noted that the shooter appeared to be walking alongside the group of thousands who were marching.
Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene as gunshots rang out, prompting protesters to flee into nearby churches, restaurants, and parking garages. Videos circulating on social media captured the moment the crowd scattered in panic. Photojournalists on the scene reported seeing the injured victim on the ground and first responders administering aid before the person was loaded into an ambulance.
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall condemned the violence, calling it “horrific” and stating, “It is not who we are.” She emphasized the city’s commitment to ensuring residents feel safe, especially when exercising their First Amendment rights. Utah Governor Spencer Cox echoed these sentiments, calling the shooting “a deeply troubling act of violence that has no place in our public square.”
The “No Kings” protest in Salt Lake City was one of many similar demonstrations held across the United States on Saturday, coinciding with nationwide protests against recent federal policy decisions. Until the shooting, the Salt Lake City protest was reported to be largely peaceful, with event organizers having worked closely with the Salt Lake City Police Department.
Authorities are appealing to the public for assistance and have asked anyone with photos or videos of the actual shooting or the moments immediately following to upload them to a dedicated online portal provided by the Salt Lake City Police Department. The investigation is active and ongoing.
(Note: This article is based on information available as of June 15, 2025. Further details may emerge as the investigation progresses.)