A reportedly suicidal man with a gun in the area of 500 South and 500 East in Salt Lake City disrupted traffic, and forced evacuations and lockdowns, for more than three hours before he was arrested Friday afternoon.
The man surrendered to police and was arrested without incident just before 3 p.m.
Beginning about 11:40 a.m., according to Salt Lake City police Detective Richard Chipping, the man had been “moving all around” on the street in that area.
By about 12:40 p.m., the man was sitting on a curb with a phone to his ear and a handgun to his chin, according to Tribune photographer Trent Nelson.
At 2:40 p.m., the man was still there, said Rich Mauro, executive director of Salt Lake Legal Defenders.
“He‘s right in front of our building,” Mauro said. “We‘re locked down.”
Mauro said there was an armored car across the street and numerous police cars in the area.
Because of the lockdown, Mauro said that many of the lawyers who work in the building were unable to leave for court. At least one homicide sentencing was postponed due to the lockdown, he said.
Police had closed streets in the area and were advising people to stay away.
The armored car arrived just before 2 p.m., and police radio chatter mentioned a sniper.
Max Curtis, who lives near the area, said he was walking home from Cafe Rio on 400 South when he saw a man running out of the alley with 15 cops chasing him with rifles pulled around 12:30 p.m., he said.
“I saw this guy run out of the alley with a pistol right under his chin,” Curtis said.
The man ran into the Trax line on 400 South, before running back down the alley. Curtis said.
“He just came bolting out of there and that’s where my apartment building is so I was actually going to go into that alley. I’m glad I wasn’t right there, it scared me,” he said.
Officers evacuated University Federal Credit Union, America First Credit Union and other surrounding buildings.
University Federal Credit Union manager Shawn Conley said a member ran inside the Credit Union shouting that someone had a gun.
“Lock the door, there’s a guy outside with a gun,” she shouted to the employees and three customers inside.
Looking outside the windows, Conley could see a man in the intersection of Denver Avenue (450 East) and 500 South, surrounded by ten police officers.
Conley got everyone into the vault room and locked the building down. Around 12:40, they were evacuated.
Nearby Trolley Square was locked down at about 2:30 p.m., said Channie McDonald, an employee of Seasons By David.
Earlier, mall employees were allowed to leave, but cautioned to drive away south or east to avoid the containment area. Employees who chose to stay were moved to the second floor and away from windows.
The Tribune will update this story as more information becomes available.
