The Salt Lake City Police Department released body-worn camera footage on Sept. 18, 2026, documenting an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Aug. 31, 2026. The footage captures an encounter with a man experiencing a violent psychiatric crisis who was shot by officers after refusing commands and brandishing a knife.
The August 31 Incident
The release of the video, conducted in compliance with Salt Lake City ordinance 2.10.200, follows an incident that occurred at 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. According to the Salt Lake City Police Department, officers originally responded to a report of a violent psychiatric problem at 575 East 400 South.
Dispatchers had received a call from an individual stating that a man had hit their vehicle and was screaming in the street. The caller also expressed concerns that the man might be under the influence of alcohol.
Escalation and Use of Force
Officers arrived at the scene at 8:33 p.m. and located the man near a business drive-through. The Salt Lake City Police Department reported that officers issued several commands for the man to sit down, but he refused to comply.
As the man attempted to leave the area, he encountered other officers on the scene. He stopped and brandished a knife toward the officers. Despite continued commands to drop the weapon, the man refused to comply with police orders.
Shooting and Injuries
In an attempt to de-escalate the situation, an officer deployed a Taser, firing four probes at the man. However, the Salt Lake City Police Department stated that the Taser was ineffective.
The man then fled east toward 600 East. A police officer in a vehicle attempted to stop the man, but he ran around the vehicle and entered a parking lot on the east side of 600 East. While in the parking lot, the man continued to brandish the knife, prompting two officers to fire their weapons, striking the man.
Investigation and Aftermath
Following the shooting, the man was transported to a hospital with injuries that were described as non-life-threatening. No officers or other individuals were injured during the encounter.
The Salt Lake City Police Department noted that a non-involved vehicle was struck during the incident. The department stated it is working to account for every round fired and is cooperating with a protocol team to determine the exact circumstances of the event.
Ongoing Investigation
As is standard practice, the officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave.
An independent investigation into the incident is being conducted by Protocol Team 2, which is led by the Unified Police Department. The Salt Lake City Police Department stated that no further information can be released at this time.
