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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Salt Lake City police shoot teen, face rock throwers

A woman holds a young boy as a crowd of people clash with police following an officer-involved shooting in Salt Lake City on Saturday. (Lennie Mahler / Associated Press)
Michelle L. Price Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY – A 17-year-old boy who authorities say was wielding a metal stick was shot and critically injured by Salt Lake City officers Saturday night, touching off unrest downtown as officers donned riot gear and blocked streets and bystanders threw rocks and bottles.

The teenager shot by two Salt Lake City police officers was in critical condition at a local hospital Sunday after being struck twice in the torso, according to Detective Ken Hansen with the Unified Police Department, which is investigating the shooting.

Salt Lake City police declined to identify the boy Sunday afternoon because he is a minor.

In a statement, the department said two Salt Lake City officers were trying to break up a fight around 8 p.m. where the teenager and another male were hitting a third male with metal objects.

The officers ordered the males to drop the metal, “stick-like objects,” and one male complied. The teenager did not drop the stick and instead moved toward the victim in a threatening manner, Salt Lake City police Detective Greg Wilking said.

One or both of the police officers then shot the teen.

Police said earlier Sunday that the teenager was shot when he tried to attack one of the officers. Wilking said Sunday afternoon that investigators were still trying to determine if that was the case. He said they had not yet interviewed the officers involved.

He also did not have details about how long the sticks were or where the males got the metal. Police said earlier Sunday that the boy had been wielding a broomstick.

Police did not release the identities of the other two males involved or whether they were also minors. The male who was hit with the sticks did not require medical attention, Wilking said.

Neither officer involved in the shooting was injured, Wilking said. Police are not releasing the identity of the officers but said Sunday that both were placed on administrative leave while the incident is investigated.

The officers were both wearing body cameras but police said Sunday they will not release the footage because of the ongoing investigation and the possibility that the teenager depicted could face charges.

Police did not have details about what prompted the fight in the street, which was near a downtown homeless shelter, shopping mall and movie theater.

After the shooting, bystanders began yelling obscenities and throwing rocks and bottles at police, who called in about 100 officers to help.

Police, including officers wearing helmets and carrying riot shields, barricaded four surrounding city blocks. A light rail stop in the neighborhood was closed.

Wilking said police asked bystanders to leave the area and put up barricades and tape to clear streets. He said bystanders were throwing objects at police for only about 10 minutes. He said police asked people to leave but did not physically move anyone.