Update 6/30 9:30 PM:
Mr. Jesse Taggart has been arrested in connection with the shooting in downtown Provo last night. Mr. Taggert is a 33-year-old resident of Salt Lake City. He was booked at the Utah County Jail for the following charges: Attempted Aggravated Murder, Aggravated Assault Causing Serious Bodily Injury, Rioting, Threatening Use of a Weapon in a Fight or Quarrel, Criminal Mischief, Firing a Weapon Near a Highway.
Police also arrested Samantha Darling, 27-year-old resident of Ogden City, and booked her into custody at the Utah County Jail for a charge of Obstruction of Justice and Rioting. The Provo Police Department extends its thanks to citizens who gave evidence and testimony to investigators and to allied agencies and officers who assisted this investigation, notably Ogden and Salt Lake City Police Departments.
The investigation of criminal acts incident to protest events in Provo last night is ongoing. If you have information about the identity of persons involved in damage to vehicles, please contact Det. Nick Patterson at npatterson@provo.org.
Peaceful protests are a fundamental right and often can become an important catalyst for positive change. Criminal acts and violence such as we saw last night in Provo were anything but peaceful and are UNACCEPTABLE. The public safety of our community is a top priority.
Deputy Chief John Geyerman:
Provo City Police were made aware of a planned Police Rally and a Counter protest scheduled for last night. Both events coincided without incident until 8:38 pm when a call was received regarding possible gun shots and a hit and run. Shortly thereafter, we received another call regarding a shooting victim at Utah Valley Hospital.
Numerous citizens and protestors provided video footage. A white SUV was driving south on University Avenue before pulling into the right turn lane in an attempt to turn onto Center Street. Several protestors began crowding around the vehicle. A male protestor ran to the SVU on the passenger side, pointed a handgun at driver and shot one round through the window.
The driver, who was struck by the bullet, hit the gas trying to leave the situation. The same protestor ran after the vehicle and shot a second round that went through the rear passenger window. The video then shows that the protestor conceals the firearm and continues to protest. This same protestor later approached another vehicle at 500 North and University Avenue striking and breaking the window with the handgun.
We are grateful for the photos and videos we’ve received and we are following all leads. If anyone has video or photos of the incident at Center Street and University Avenue, please contact Detective Patterson at npatterson@provo.org.