SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Aug. 5, 2020 (Gephardt Daily) — Arrest warrants have been issued for three suspects allegedly involved in a violent Salt Lake City protest on July 9.
According to the Salt Lake City Police Department, Martin Oliveros and Richard Lovell Davis are wanted for alleged felony criminal mischief and rioting, while Hurija Mustafic is wanted for the alleged assault of a police officer and rioting.
“A 3rd District Court judge issued arrest warrants related to the July 9 protest which resulted in property destruction and injuries,” the SLCPD said in a statement posted on social media.
The protest was in reaction to a controversial ruling by Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill, clearing Salt Lake City officers of wrongdoing in the fatal May 23 officer-involved shooting of fleeing armed robbery suspect Roberto Palacios-Carbajal, 22.
Within hours of the July announcement, an emotional crowd of roughly 500 people converged on downtown Salt Lake City.
After using vehicles to block off the street to the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, protesters set their sights on the building itself. Within a matter of minutes, the complex was plastered with posters and spattered with red paint. So, too, was a significant stretch of 500 South.
While the bulk of the crowd left the D.A.’s office, others lingered. Soon there was the sound of breaking glass, and police began to confront the crowd, which had migrated to the corner of State Street and 500 South.
Soon cops and demonstrators stood face-to-face. Pushing, shoving and taunting ensued before giving way to a couple of police charges and the use of billy clubs and shields as weapons.
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of any of the three is asked to call SLCPD at 801-799-3000.
