A peaceful protest against President Donald Trump’s administration turned violent on Saturday night when a shooting left one person in critical condition and three others were taken into custody, according to local authorities.
The incident happened around 8:00 p.m. in downtown Salt Lake City, during a large demonstration that drew roughly 10,000 people. The protest, part of a nationwide movement called “No Kings,” was organized to oppose what participants described as authoritarian tendencies in Trump’s leadership.
Salt Lake City Police confirmed on social media that the shooting occurred during the gathering, leaving one person seriously wounded. “We can confirm the shooting resulted in one person being critically injured. The patient has been taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries,” the department posted, noting that they had detained a “person of interest.”
Police Chief Brian Redd spoke at a press briefing, where he shared early details from the investigation. He noted that the protest had been peaceful before the shooting took place. One of the three individuals detained had also suffered a gunshot wound and was taken to the hospital. The other two were arrested at the scene.
“At this time, there is… no ongoing threats to the public,” Redd said. He also noted that investigators were still determining what led to the shooting and whether it had any political motivation.
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall responded to the incident by urging calm and reminding residents that this single act of violence should not define the event or the city itself. “This act of violence does not define Salt Lake City — a Democratic bastion in the deep-red Republican state of Utah,” she said.
She continued, “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.”
Mayor Mendenhall also reminded the public of their constitutional rights. “We are a nation that needs our First Amendment right; we deserve to protest in peace. And what happened today, I hope, will not silence the voices of the public who deserve to have their voices heard.”
