SOUTH SALTLAKE, Utah – Two Salt Lake County sheriff’s deputies were shot dead outside the sheriff’s department in South Salt Lake on Saturday morning.
Shortly before 10 a.m., the two deputies patrolled the complex at 3415 S. 900 West, which also includes the headquarters of the Unified Police and the Salt Lake County Metro Jail.
They encountered a man near the northern parking lot, and as they approached him, he pulled out a gun and fired at them.
Investigators are trying to determine exactly what happened, but Sheriff Rosie Rivera said everything happened very quickly and at least one of the deputies fired back and killed the suspect.
Both deputies were shot in the face and taken to hospital.
One deputy, who was hit in the cheek, is in a stable condition and is expected to be released soon, Rivera said Saturday afternoon.
The other one was shot in the eye and is in a critical but stable condition. He will remain in the hospital for an operation.
“They have a long way to go … it’s a battle,” Rivera said. “I ask the community to keep these delegates in our thoughts and prayers with me.”
Their names have not been released as the sheriff is working to notify their families.
There were no others involved in the shooting, but other deputies responded quickly to provide medical assistance.
Police have not yet identified the suspect, but they believe he is in his thirties. Rivera added that although investigators did not determine a motive for the shooting nor what he did in the area, they believe he may have been homeless based on objects they found in the area.
“These types of incidents are really devastating to the department,” she said. “The law enforcement environment is extremely dangerous right now, and we know it.”
A ‘Peer Support Team’ helps members of the sheriff’s office deal with the incident.
Rivera said the prison will remain locked up until the on-site investigation is completed.
Officials are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact the sheriff in Salt Lake County.