SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Oct. 21, 2022 (Gephardt Daily) — Police have identified the 35-year-old man who allegedly entered a store at City Creek Center and threatened to kill employees, shoppers and responding officers.
Keith Allen Payne, 35, was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County jail in connection with threats inside the Sephora store Thursday night at the open-air shopping center in downtown Salt Lake City.
Police say Payne contacted them via telephone about 7:30 p.m. “stating he was an FBI informant and wanted police to come and [get] him,” the arresting Salt Lake City police officer stated in a probable cause statement filed in 3rd District Court.
“When he was told that police would not come get him, he told an officer and those inside the Sephora that he had a gun and would shoot everyone in the mall,” the police affidavit says.
Police say Payne “broke multiple items in the Sephora store,” with damage estimated at more than $1,500. He also caused eight people in the store “to fear for their lives,” the statement continues.
The store evacuated its employees and customers, while dispatchers fielded “multiple 911 calls from people who confirmed the suspect was still inside the store,” police said in a news release.
Police worked with City Creek Center security and safely arrested Payne, the release states. The man did not have a gun when he was arrested, and police “do not believe he ever had access to a gun.”
Social workers assigned to the police department assisted in taking Payne into custody.
Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown praised the fast response and coordination of the officers.
“Our officers did a fantastic job handling this call,” Brown said. “Every second matters. Our city’s police officers worked in great partnership with SLC911. I am proud of our officers for quickly responding, developing a tactical plan to enter the mall and safely arresting the suspect.
“These situations unfold quickly. They are dynamic and our officers are well-trained. This is yet another bright example of our police officers doing everything they can to help ensure the safety of our community.”
Payne was arrested for investigation of:
- Threat of terrorism for preventing or interrupting occupation of a building, a third-degree felony
- Criminal mischief for loss/damage of $1,500 to $5,000, a third-degree felony
- Nine counts of threat of violence, a class B misdemeanor
He is being held without bail.
