PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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SLCPD Officers Arrest Man Accused of Attempted Murder

SALT LAKE CITY — Today, officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department safely arrested a 62-year-old man who is accused of shooting a 62-year-old woman.

This case is being investigated as a domestic violence-related shooting.

This investigation started at 11:48 p.m. on Friday, July 14, 2023, when emergency dispatchers with SLC911 took a 9-1-1 call about a shooting.

Officers immediately responded to the residence near West Temple and 1300 South.

A sergeant with the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Liberty Patrol Division established an emergency action team and safely took the suspected shooter into custody outside the home without further incident.

Other officers, formed an emergency rescue team, went into the home, and rescued the woman.

Officers found the woman inside the home with critical gunshot injuries.

The officers quickly provided emergency life-saving efforts, including applying tourniquets.

“The response of our officers, and their actions, likely saved this person’s life, and I cannot overstate the importance of their courageous response,” said Chief Mike Brown. “The recent acts of domestic violence in our city, resulting in critical injuries, serve as important reminders of our city’s commitment to creating a safe environment for everyone. We will never lose sight of our dedication of supporting survivors, raising awareness about domestic violence, and working together to break the cycle of abuse.”

The suspect, identified as 62-year-old Chris Garcia, is charged with six counts of felony discharge of a firearm, one count of being a restricted person in possession of a firearm, one count of attempted murder, and one count of intoxication.

Detectives with the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Domestic Violence Squad have since learned Garcia, while intoxicated, got into a fight with the victim and shot her multiple times.

The victim remains in critical but stable condition at the hospital.

No photos from the scene are available.

Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Salt Lake City Police Department reminds our community of the resources available to support survivors of domestic violence in Utah.

·      Utah Department of Human Services: Domestic Violence Services

·      Utah Domestic Violence Coalition

The Salt Lake City Police Department encourages anyone who has experienced domestic violence to call us at 801-799-3000 and ask to speak with a victim advocate or call their 24-hour hotline directly at 801-580-7969. All services are free, and callers can get information anonymously.

No further information on this case is being released. Neither the PIO nor the on-duty watch commander are available for interviews.

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