Crowd attacks police officers at Salt Lake City park; 2 arrested, more being sought

A Salt Lake City Police spokesman said officers were attempting to make an arrest at Fairmont Skatepark, 2200 S. 900 East, when a large crowd attacked them, Tuesday, May 29, 2018. The officers called for assistance, and two people were arrested for assaulting the officers. Police are hoping to find others who fled the scene. Photo: Gephardt Daily/Monico Garza/SLCScanner

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, May 29, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — Police officers had to put in an emergency call for help when an unruly crowd at a skatepark attacked them Tuesday night.

Salt Lake City Police Lt. Russ Amott said the officers were attempting to make an arrest at Fairmont Skatepark, 2200 S. 900 East, a popular gathering place for adults and juveniles.

The incident happened a little after 8:30 p.m.

“As they went to make the arrest, a large crowd came up and attacked the officers and tried to stop them from making the arrest,” Amott said.

The patrol officers radioed for help and police responded from throughout the Salt Lake Valley.

Joseph Christiansen, 25, has been booked into jail for assault of a police officer, interference, failure to disperse and possession of a controlled substance.

A juvenile suspect was booked into juvenile detention for resisting arrest and assault on a police officer.

Both officers sustained minor scrapes and were cleared medically.

Asked if such an incident is unusual at Fairmont, Amott said, “We haven’t had big issues like this, but we have a lot of the small stuff on a regular basis.”

“All ages come down to use the park,” he said, “usually for legitimate purposes, but every once in awhile, something goes bad.”

SLCPD would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information that may help police locate the others who were involved in the assault on the officers.

To make a report, call 801-799-3000. Anonymous tips may be sent by text to 274637. Please start the text with TIPSLCPD, which routes it to the police department. Then include any relevant information.

11 COMMENTS

  1. glad people were able to get together and stand up against police. It’s too bad they got away with a few scrapes but the people that attacked the cops have to go through hell when they go to jail. It sounds like the initial arrest was unwarranted …

  2. I seriously can’t believe the comments on here. How far has our society fallen to think that a lawless, anarchic state with no consequences is the ideal! I am not sure how this is LEO fault. They were there for a legitimate reason (to arrest someone) and the crowd decides to try and stop them AND this is some how the FAULT of the police?! If the crowd would have just let the LEOs do their job, this wouldn’t have even been a news story! You all under stand that there are consequences when you break the law, right? and you don’t get to choose those consequences! *smh*

  3. Stupid fucking Pigs i swear if i was there and saw that cop push that girl id be swinging on his bitch ass to. Fucking retarded police in SLC

  4. Tyler:
    Maybe because the reason wasn’t legit. If a whole crowd stands against a couple of cops in the park it is reasonable to question Police actions. Especially now that they are more agents that feed the for profit prison system rather than uphold peace and justice.

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