SALT LAKE CITY, May 23, 2026 (Gephardt Daily) — A man in his 30s was critically injured Friday evening in a shooting at a Salt Lake City business after police were initially dispatched on a reported child custody dispute at an indoor playground for kids.
Lt. Cody Lougy of the Salt Lake City Police Department told Gephardt Daily on scene that officers were dispatched just before 7 p.m. to Kids’ Empire near 1082 South 300 West.
According to Lougy, officers arrived and quickly discovered a shooting had taken place inside the business.
“This is a very unfortunate situation,” Lougy told reporters.
Photo: Gephardt Daily/Patrick Benedict
Police entered the business and rendered aid to a man in his 30s suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers applied a chest seal and performed “lifesaving efforts” before the victim was transported to a hospital in critical condition, Lougy said.
During the same response, officers located a woman in her 30s — believed to be the shooter — and took her into custody at the scene.
Lougy said a bystander helped disarm the woman before officers arrived.
Photo: Gephardt Daily/Patrick Benedict
Several families and children were inside the business at the time of the shooting. Those families were taken to a police station for interviews. Employees and witnesses also were being interviewed.
Lougy said the shooting is believed to be an isolated and there is no danger to the public.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
