FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 18, 2025

Media Contact Information

PolicePIO@slc.gov

Media Request Form

https://police.slc.gov/mediarequest/

SLCPD Officers Arrest 38-Year-Old Man Accused of Assaulting Four People During Downtown Demonstration  

SALT LAKE CITY — Officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department’s (SLCPD) Central Patrol Division and Public Order Unit (POU) safely arrested a 38-year-old man who is accused of assaulting four people during an organized march in downtown.

This investigation started around 4:33 p.m. on Monday, February 17, 2025, when SLCPD officers received information that someone allegedly pepper sprayed demonstrators near 400 South State Street.

The SLCPD Special Operations Division was leading a multi-agency demonstration safety effort that had several officers escorting the crowd from the Utah Capitol Building to Washington Square.

South Salt Lake City Police Officers who were working with SLCPD officers quickly found the 38-year-old suspect and took him into custody pursuant to their investigation.

The suspect is identified as 38-year-old Michael Christensen.

Based on the preliminary investigation, Christensen allegedly started an argument with several people randomly. Christensen is accused of yelling at marchers and interfering with the event.

According to witnesses, Christensen is accused of pulling out a canister of pepper spray and using it against nearby crowd members. SLCPD officers identified four people Christensen is accused of pepper spraying.

Gold Cross Ambulance responded to further help with care already being given by witnesses. None of the injuries are considered life-threatening.

During the investigation, officers found Christensen to be in alleged possession of a sharp-edged weapon, drug paraphernalia, and an open container of alcohol.

The motive of this alleged assault is unknown, but officers do not have any information at this time to suggest the Christensen was a counter-protestor or that this incident was targeted.

Officers booked Christensen into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on four counts of assault and one count each of: use or possession of drug paraphernalia, lewdness, and open container in public.

Officers also found Christensen to have active warrants for his arrest.

The lewdness charge stems from alleged conduct that occurred during the booking process.

The Salt Lake City Police Department’s Special Operations Division has resources available to help ensure community safety during demonstrations of any size.

Any group wishing to host a demonstration or rally in Salt Lake City should first attempt to seek a permit using the Salt Lake City Special Events Portal.

Recognizing that many of these high-profile demonstrations may occur with little or no advance notice, the Salt Lake City Police Department would encourage community members to work with the department’s Special Operations Division to help ensure route safety.

Community members should send an email to SLCPDSafeMarch@slc.gov. This will give the department the situational awareness necessary to coordinate resources.

Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is not the custodian of record for jail booking photos. Utah Code 17-22-30 mostly prohibits the release of jail booking photos. Generally, a jail booking photo can only be released by the custodian of record after a conviction or when law enforcement determines whether the person is a fugitive or an imminent threat to a person or public safety. In Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of record for jail booking photos.

 The information contained in this news release is based on a preliminary review of the details available to the Salt Lake City Police Department. As the investigation progresses, information may change.

###