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SALT LAKE CITY — Despite two shooting deaths in two days over the weekend, Salt Lake Police Chief Mike Brown said Monday that Utah's capital city is still a safe place.
But Brown also conceded that the continuing spike in gun violence occurring in Salt Lake City and across the nation is deeply concerning,
"This violence needs to stop. This is a crisis that's impacting all of us," he said.
About 1 a.m. Friday, Christopher James Taylor, 32, was shot and killed outside a gas station at 310 S. 900 East. Brown said investigators believe there had been an argument between Taylor and his attacker prior to the deadly shot being fired. As of Monday, no one has been arrested and Brown did not have any other details about what may have prompted the shooting.
About 24 hours later, at 1:30 a.m. Saturday, Adalid Serrano-Robles, 22, was shot and killed near 900 E. Edison Street (995 South).
"The preliminary investigation shows the shooting stemmed from an isolated fight between a group of people," according to a statement from Salt Lake police.
No arrests had been made as of Monday. Police do not believe the two killings are related. Anyone with information about either of the cases is asked to call Salt Lake police at 801-799-3000.
Brown said having two homicides on consecutive days is "completely abnormal" for Salt Lake City.
"It's not reflective of where we're headed as a city," he said.
However, Brown said it is part of a trend of increasing gun violence across the country in 2021. In addition to the two killings, a man was shot at a downtown Salt Lake club Saturday night. That person suffered minor injuries. And two people were detained at West High School Monday as police investigated a threat of violence.
Brown said nowadays too many young adults and juveniles are quick to pull out guns during an argument.
"Conflict resolution has gone out the window. People are turning to the handgun and then having the fortitude to pull the trigger," he said.
Conflict resolution has gone out the window. People are turning to the handgun and then having the fortitude to pull the trigger.
–SLC Police Chief Mike Brown
Brown encouraged others who find themselves in similar conflicts to simply walk away. As of Monday, there have been 18 homicides, including automobile homicides, in Salt Lake City this year, according to the city's statistics.
Brown also had a message to the two outstanding gunmen from the weekend.
"Turn yourselves in. Come forward with your attorneys. But turn yourselves in," he said.
