Salt Lake City – A tourist from Australia was detained Saturday after Salt Lake City Police discovered a “mostly assembled rifle” in his backpack at City Creek Center. Authorities say there is no further threat to the community based on their initial investigation.
The 33-year-old man was reported to have made a statement at a coffee shop around 5:30 p.m. on January 11 that raised concerns for the safety of others. The employee who overheard the statement also noticed what appeared to be firearm components in the man’s backpack, prompting the concern.
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Salt Lake City Police quickly responded, working with mall safety officials to locate and detain the man. Upon investigation, officers recovered the mostly assembled rifle from his backpack. At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that the firearm was fully assembled.
The police department has not released the suspect’s name as no charges have been filed. The investigation is ongoing, with officers collaborating with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to determine how the man acquired the firearm.
The information provided is based on a preliminary investigation, and further updates may follow.
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