Second man arrested in connection with shooting at protest in Provo

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, July 2, 2020 (Gephardt Daily) — A second man has been arrested in connection with a shooting at a protest in Provo.

A probable cause statement from Utah County said Bradley Glenn Walters, 29, from Ogden, is facing charges of:

• Aggravated assault, a second-degree felony
• Riot, a third-degree felony

On Monday, a shooting occurred in the area of Center Street and University Avenue in Provo during the course of an active protest, the statement said.

“A vehicle attempted to proceed through an intersection that was blocked by protesters,” the statement added. “All the protesters had gathered in Provo as part of a planned and organized event. During the protest they were unlawfully blocking the intersection and the vehicle from proceeding through the intersection.”

While the protesters were attempting to block the vehicle from turning onto Center Street, a suspect, later identified as Jesse Taggart, pulled a firearm and fired several rounds striking the driver of the vehicle. At the same time Taggart was shooting at the victim in the vehicle, Walters was recorded in the middle of the intersection pulling a revolver handgun and pointing it at the driver of the vehicle as Taggart was chasing the vehicle through the intersection and firing at it for the second time, the statement said.

“Bradley continued running after the vehicle while pointing his gun at the driver, until the vehicle was gone,” the statement said. “The driver tried to drive away after being shot by Jesse. The gunshot victim was admitted to the ER shortly after with a gunshot wound to the arm.”

Walters spoke with officers later in the night and the gun was still in his possession, the statement said.

Walters was transported to Utah County Jail with his bail set at $10,000.

Taggart was arrested Tuesday night in Salt Lake City.

Lt. Mike Hatch, with the Salt Lake City Police Department, said officers located the Taggart in the area of 300 East and 300 South, where they could see his vehicle and trailer.

“Officers watched the vehicle until they saw the suspect, then we had a quick-reaction team come in and make an arrest,” Hatch said at the scene.

Salt Lake City officers then handed the suspect over to Provo police.

Taggart, 33, was booked at the Utah County Jail on charges of attempted aggravated murder, aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, rioting, threatening use of a weapon in a fight or quarrel, criminal mischief and firing a weapon near a highway.