A shooting occurred Saturday evening during a “No Kings” protest in Salt Lake City, Utah, leaving one person injured. Salt Lake City police reported the incident on social media, stating that the shooting was possibly linked to the demonstration. The victim was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, and authorities have a person of interest in custody.
Details surrounding the shooting remain scarce, with police withholding further information regarding the circumstances that led to the violence. Approximately 10,000 people participated in the protest, according to police statements. The ongoing investigation is described as a “very fluid situation.”
Utah Governor Spencer Cox expressed his deep concern over the incident, labeling it a “deeply troubling act of violence” that has no place in public spaces. He extended his sympathy to those affected while commending the thousands of protestors who participated peacefully.
The “No Kings” protests, held across various U.S. cities on Saturday, were largely peaceful demonstrations against the Trump administration and its policies. The protests coincided with a military parade in Washington, D.C., commemorating the Army’s 250th anniversary. However, in Los Angeles, a different scene unfolded. Late Saturday afternoon, police issued a dispersal order after protestors allegedly threw objects at law enforcement. In response, authorities deployed smoke, flash-bangs, and tear gas.
Los Angeles has recently been the focus of a dispute between state and local officials and the White House over federal immigration enforcement strategies. This conflict escalated last weekend when President Trump deployed National Guard and Marines to address protests related to ICE raids in the Los Angeles area. The Salt Lake City shooting serves as a stark contrast to the largely peaceful nature of many of the other demonstrations, highlighting the unpredictable nature of large-scale protests and the potential for isolated acts of violence.
