Sheriff says ‘the environment for law enforcement right now is extremely dangerous’
Two Salt Lake County sheriff’s deputies were shot in the face and critically injured Saturday on the lawn outside the sheriff's office building. The suspected gunman is dead, according to police.
“These types of incidents are really devastating for the department. And we hope and we pray that our deputies will be OK,” said Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera.
Just before 10:30 a.m., two deputies were working as part of the campus security team at the sheriff’s office and Salt Lake County Jail complex at the corner of 3300 South and 900 West. They came across a man near the front of the sheriff’s office headquarters.
“It happened on the north side of the parking lot on the grass area,” Rivera said, an area where people sometimes like to sit.
After making contact with the man, there was “some type of altercation,” according to the sheriff. One deputy was shot in the face and the other in the eye. The sheriff’s office confirmed there was “an exchange of gunfire” between the suspect and deputies.
Officers from Unified police, South Salt Lake police and West Valley police quickly responded to the scene and the deputies were rushed to a local hospital. As of noon, Rivera said one deputy had stabilized, while the other, who was shot in the eye, remained critical.
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Annie Barker, Deseret News
The families of both deputies were gathering to be with their loved ones at the hospital. A chaplain was also sent to the hospital to comfort the families and peer support members were working with other deputies shaken by the incident.
“It’s something that you don’t really expect will occur on Saturday morning. So it’s tough. We do have peer support and we have our peer support team already responded,” Rivera said. “This is just shocking. It’s devastating to law enforcement as a whole.”
The sheriff noted that law enforcement has become more dangerous, even for deputies who are just checking on people sleeping on the grass in front of the sheriff’s building or waiting for a bus to find out if they’re OK.
“The environment for law enforcement right now is extremely dangerous, and we know that,” she said. “Anything can happen in any instance.”
Rivera said she has received numerous calls from other law enforcement agencies offering their assistance.
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Annie Barker, Deseret News
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson tweeted, “My thoughts are with the deputies who were injured in a horrific shooting this morning near the Salt Lake County @SLCOMetroJail. All of us at @SLCoGov are grateful for the sacrifice that law enforcement makes each day. Our hearts and hopes are with the deputies and their families.”
Sen. Mitt Romney tweeted, “Ann’s and my hearts are heavy with reports of two Salt Lake County deputies shot and hospitalized. We join them and their families in prayer and hope.”
Ann’s and my hearts are heavy with reports of two Salt Lake County deputies shot and hospitalized. We join them and their families in prayer and hope.
— Senator Mitt Romney (@SenatorRomney) April 10, 2021
Rep. Chris Stewart joined the condolences on Twitter, saying “All of Utah stands with them and their families in hopes of a full recovery.”
My thoughts and prayers are with the two Salt Lake County Sheriff’s deputies who were tragically shot and hospitalized today. All of Utah stands with them and their families in hopes of a full recovery.
— Rep. Chris Stewart (@RepChrisStewart) April 10, 2021
Information about whether one or both deputies were able to return fire, or if any other officers assisted, was not immediately known.
Rivera said 3300 South between 700 West and 900 West would remain closed for a “significant” amount of time on Saturday. Likewise, the Salt Lake County Jail would remain on lockdown according to department protocol as the investigation is conducted.
My thoughts and prayers are with the two Salt Lake County Sheriff’s deputies who were tragically shot and hospitalized today. All of Utah stands with them and their families in hopes of a full recovery.
— Rep. Chris Stewart (@RepChrisStewart) April 10, 2021
Rivera asked anyone who might have seen the incident or have information about it to contact the sheriff’s office.
“The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is strong. We’re very proud of who we are. We’re a strong family and we’ll make it through this. It’s just tough right now,” she said.
This story will be updated throughout the day.
Contributing: Alex Cabrero, Wendy Leonard
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