January 5, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com 

SLCPD Reminds Community About Firearm Safety

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department is reminding community members about firearm safety after a 30-year-old woman shot her 37-year-old boyfriend while handling a firearm.

This investigation started at 12:18 a.m. on Tuesday January 03, 2023, when SLC911 got information about a shooting that happened inside a home near 1100 East and 400 South.

While officers responded, they learned the shooting may have been accidental.

Officers arrived on scene and developed a tactical plan to safely approach the house and search for the shooter and any victims.

Gold Cross and the Salt Lake City Fire Department responded and waited nearby until officers secured the scene.

Inside the house, officers found a man with a gunshot wound to his back. The victim remained conscious, breathing and alert while officers spoke with him.

During the investigation, officers learned the man’s girlfriend picked up a firearm and while holding the firearm, depressed the trigger which resulted in the gun discharging. It is unclear if the woman knew the firearm was loaded.

The bullet traveled through an interior wall and struck the victim while he was inside another room.

Paramedics and SLCFD took the man to the hospital with a non-life-threatening injury.

Based on the preliminary investigation, this appears to have been an accidental shooting.

No arrests have been made and no charges have been filed. As such, the Salt Lake City Police Department is not releasing the names of anyone involved.

The case will be forwarded to the district attorney’s office for review.

The Salt Lake City Police Department reminds community members about the six basic gun safety rules:

·         Treat all guns as if they are loaded. Always assume that a gun is loaded, even if you believe the gun is unloaded.

·         Keep guns pointed in the safest possible direction when handling. Only point a gun at an object you intend to shoot.

·         Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot.

·         Know your target, its surroundings and what’s behind your target.  Understand that if a bullet misses or passes through the target, it could strike a person or object.

·         Know how to safely operate your firearm.

·         Always safely store your firearm and prevent unauthorized use. Firearms should be locked and rendered safe using a trigger lock. Ammunition should be stored in a different location than the firearm.

Three photos taken on scene are being provided. Media may use these photos with credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

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