Salt Lake City police officers shot a man on August 31, 2026, during a response to a violent psychiatric crisis, an incident that has triggered an independent investigation by the Unified Police Department. The man was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after he allegedly brandished a knife at officers near 575 East 400 South.
Sequence of the Incident
The incident began at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Monday, August 31, 2026, when officers responded to a 911 call regarding a man who had hit a vehicle and was screaming in the street. According to the Salt Lake City Police Department, the caller also suspected the man might be intoxicated.
Officers located the man near a business drive-through at 8:33 p.m. and issued several commands for him to sit down, which he refused. As the man attempted to leave, he encountered other officers and brandished a knife toward them. Despite continued commands to drop the weapon, the man did not comply.
Officer Use of Force
During the encounter, an officer deployed a Taser, but the four probes fired were ineffective. The man then fled east toward 600 East. As he attempted to evade a police vehicle by running into a parking lot on the east side of 600 East, two officers discharged their weapons, striking the man.
The Salt Lake City Police Department confirmed that the man was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No officers or other individuals were injured during the encounter, though the department is investigating reports that a non-involved vehicle was struck during the incident.
Investigation and Protocol
Following the shooting, the Salt Lake City Police Department activated its officer-involved critical incident (OICI) protocol. Under this protocol, Protocol Team 2, led by the Unified Police Department, is conducting an independent investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the shooting.
Per department policy, the officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave. The department stated it is working to provide resources to the individuals involved and is committed to accounting for every round discharged during the incident.
Legal Oversight and Review
The Salt Lake City Police Department's investigative process is designed to ensure all officer-involved critical incidents are handled professionally, thoroughly, and impartially, in compliance with Utah Code Annotated 76-2-408(5).
In similar cases, the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office reviews evidence—including police reports, logs, witness statements, and body-worn camera recordings—to determine if a crime was committed. If a criminal investigation is turned over to the DA's office, the findings must be completed within 180 days, according to Salt Lake County guidelines.
Ongoing Oversight
The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office maintains a public record of use of force investigations that remain under review. This includes cases that have been presented to the office more than 180 days ago and require additional analysis of the facts and applicable laws regarding the use of deadly force.
Departmental Accountability
The Salt Lake City Police Department maintains a dedicated protocol to manage these incidents and ensure accountability within the community.
Current Status
The investigation into the August 31 incident remains ongoing as the protocol team reviews the evidence.
