Two sheriff’s deputies shot by gunman in Utah

Two Utah sheriff’s deputies were shot by a gunman on Saturday, and one of the deputies is in critical condition.

Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera said the deputies were performing “routine perimeter security” and encountered the gunman outside of the sheriff’s office building, according to a video of a press conference shared to Facebook. 

Rivera told reporters on Saturday that gunfire was exchanged between the deputies and the shooter. The suspect was deceased after the exchange and the incident is still under investigation. 

Rivera said that officials estimated that the shooter was approximately 30 years old. 

Both of the deputies were shot in the face. 

One deputy is in critical, stable condition, while the other is in “serious, but stable condition,” according to the sheriff.

The deputy in critical condition was shot in the eye, while the other deputy was hit in the cheek.

“I ask the community to join me in keeping these deputies in their thoughts and prayers,” Rivera said. 

A slate of elected officials reacted to the shooting on Saturday.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) called the incident “such an awful tragedy.”

Such an awful tragedy outside the Salt Lake County Jail today. Abby and I are praying for the two deputies fighting for their lives.

— Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox (@GovCox) April 10, 2021

Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson (D) shared on Twitter that she is “grateful for the sacrifice that law enforcement makes each day.”

My thoughts are with the deputies who were injured in a horrific shooting this morning near the Salt Lake County @SLCOMetroJail. All of us at @SLCoGov are grateful for the sacrifice that law enforcement makes each day. Our hearts and hopes are with the deputies and their families

— Mayor Jenny Wilson (@SLCoMayor) April 10, 2021

Utah Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah) tweeted that “Ann’s and my hearts are heavy with reports of two Salt Lake County deputies shot and hospitalized. We join them and their families in prayer and hope.” 

Ann’s and my hearts are heavy with reports of two Salt Lake County deputies shot and hospitalized. We join them and their families in prayer and hope.

— Senator Mitt Romney (@SenatorRomney) April 10, 2021