SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department is investigating a stabbing that injured several people at a downtown nightclub.
Several people are recovering from injuries, sustained in at least two fights, one of which involved a stabbing.
This investigation started at 12:46 a.m. on Sunday when a community member approached officers in the area of 146 West Pierpont Avenue and reported a fight with injuries. Several SLCPD officers were already on patrol in the area as part of a coordinated effort to reduce crime occurring in this part of the city’s entertainment district, according to a news release from the department.
Detectives say they are very familiar with this stretch of Pierpont Avenue where officers have responded to several violent incidents over the past couple of years. There are two clubs on the street, making it a very popular destination on weekends.
Officers arrived and located a man and a woman bleeding. Initially, officers and paramedics could not determine what caused the injuries. Witnesses on scene provided limited and conflicting information about whether there had been a shooting or a stabbing.
But they quickly learned no firearm was involved.
“We can confirm that there was one incident where a stabbing had occurred and then another incident, during that same time frame, where a separate group of people got into an altercation with another group and that included some physical injury as well,” said Sgt. Mark Wian with the SLCPD.
Due to the number of people on scene and conflicting information, additional officers responded to assist with crowd control and scene security.
Based on the preliminary information, it appears there was a fight between several people inside Club Echo that resulted in multiple injuries. There was no shooting. While on scene, an SLCPD officer used a tourniquet to help slow the bleeding from one of the victims.
- Paramedics transported a 27-year-old woman to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
- A 20-year-old man was stabbed and left the scene prior to police and paramedics being able to contact him. He later arrived at an area hospital to be treated for those injuries. Paramedics transported him to a hospital in critical condition. Doctors have since upgraded his condition.
- Paramedics transported a 22-year-old man from the scene to a local hospital in critical condition after he was stabbed in the chest. Doctors have since upgraded his condition.
- A 29-year-old man was injured during the fight but did not require further medical attention at a hospital and was treated on scene.
- A 21-year-old was injured with a small head wound but did not require further medical attention at a hospital and was treated on scene.
The investigation is ongoing. At this point, no arrests have been made. Officers do not believe there is anyone outstanding and that everyone involved in the incident has been accounted for.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call 801-799-3000 and reference case number 22-105402.
As mentioned above, while officers were investigating the stabbing, a vehicle approached an officer at 1:55 a.m. and reported a separate assault with three victims. Paramedics responded to provide initial care. None of the injuries were life-threatening. The circumstances leading up to this assault remain unknown. There were no reports of a shooting associated with this incident. The Salt Lake City Police Department is aware of social media posts describing the assault and injuries. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the case should call 801-799-3000 and reference case number 22-105507.
“It’s actually kind of scary not knowing about some of that,” said Jeremy Meador, manager at Settebello’s.
Settebello’s is a pizzeria just a block away. He said Pierpont Avenue has a reputation.
“I know it has before in the past,” said Meador. “I know that in that parking garage there’s been assaults there before.”
The restaurant typically closes around 9 or 10 p.m., so customers and employees rarely see what goes on late on weekend nights. Still, Meador said it’s important to always pay attention – especially when it’s dark.
“Usually I park close enough by the lot. I ask women around here if they want somebody to walk them to their car, we definitely will,” he said.
