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SALT LAKE CITY — A call for police assistance involving a person possibly having a mental health crisis ended with officers shooting a man Tuesday.
Just after 11:30 a.m., Salt Lake police were called to assist Mobile Crisis Outreach Team members from Huntsman Mental Health Institute who offer community-based intervention to individuals experiencing a crisis. The team includes a licensed clinical social worker and a certified peer support specialist, called whenever someone may be having mental health issues.
Two officers arrived at a home, near 900 East and 1700 South, where the two social workers and a family member were trying to contact a 37-year-old man inside a detached garage, according to police.
"While inside the garage, the officers waited while the social workers and the family member spoke with the man. During the incident, the suspect reached for a weapon. Both officers fired shots," police stated.
The man, whose name was not immediately released, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. No officers were injured.
In a prepared statement, Chief Mike Brown said his officers protected "two social workers and a family member during an incident that unfolded in a split second."
Salt Lake police activated the Officer Involved Critical Protocol following the shooting, meaning the shooting will be investigated by an outside agency. Both officers were placed on standard paid administrative leave, pending the conclusion of the investigation.
