Early Sunday morning, a reported fight involving a gun at a downtown Salt Lake City apartment building turned a quiet block into a police lockdown, pausing church services and rattling nearby businesses before the all-clear was eventually given.
Police Response And Streets Shut Down
Salt Lake City police were called to the area near 100 South and 200 East just after 6 a.m. Officers quickly sealed off nearby streets as they investigated the disturbance, which they say included a firearm.
According to FOX13, officers detained at least one person at the scene. A second person retreated into a nearby residence, which prompted police to call in a tactical team. Lt. Benjamin Hone told FOX13 that officers tried to talk with the person inside before sending in the tactical team.
Both people were ultimately taken into custody, and police said there was no ongoing danger to the public. The investigation remains open as officers sort out what led to the early-morning altercation.
Cathedral Briefly Locks Down, Then Fills Back Up
Right across the street, staff at the Cathedral Church of St. Mark's moved fast. Deacon Libby Hunter said the church locked its doors and windows to keep people on campus safe and initially canceled services while police worked across the block.
"It's a really good reminder to go over safety protocols and remind people that things can happen at any time," Hunter told FOX13.
Once officers secured the scene, services resumed around 10:20 a.m. Hunter said more than 100 people attended afterward, which helped ease parishioners' nerves. The Cathedral Church of St. Mark's website lists the campus at 231 E. 100 South.
Downtown Safety Debate Keeps Simmering
Episodes like Sunday's dust-up are fueling ongoing conversations about safety in the downtown core and how heavily it should be policed. Earlier this year, the Salt Lake City mayor's office rolled out a citywide Public Safety Plan that includes a Community Impact Division intended to increase officer presence downtown, according to the city's newsletter.
Police say the investigation into Sunday morning's incident is still active and are asking anyone with information or video of the disturbance to contact the Salt Lake City Police Department through its online resources.
