Fact Check: "Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall condemned the shooting during a press briefing on June 14, 2025, stating that the violence does not define the city."
What We Know
On June 14, 2025, a shooting occurred during a "No Kings" protest in Salt Lake City, which has drawn significant attention from local leaders and the media. Reports indicate that various Utah leaders, including Mayor Erin Mendenhall, expressed their condemnation of the violence associated with the protest. For instance, a report from the Salt Lake Tribune states that Utah leaders expressed gratitude for the peaceful protesters while condemning the violence that occurred during the event (source-5).
However, there is currently no direct evidence or transcript available from a press briefing specifically on June 14, 2025, where Mayor Mendenhall stated that "the violence does not define the city." The mayor's office has not released a statement that explicitly includes this phrase or sentiment in the context of the shooting (source-1, source-3).
Analysis
The claim hinges on the assertion that Mayor Mendenhall made a specific statement during a press briefing condemning the shooting and asserting that such violence does not characterize Salt Lake City. While it is confirmed that she, along with other leaders, condemned the shooting (source-5), the lack of a direct quote or source from the mayor herself makes it difficult to verify the exact wording or context of her remarks.
The sources available from the Mayor's Office primarily focus on other initiatives and do not provide a record of the specific press briefing or statement made on that date (source-1, source-2). The Salt Lake Tribune and other news outlets have reported on the incident and the general reactions from leaders, but they do not provide a comprehensive account of Mendenhall's specific comments regarding the phrase in question.
Given the absence of direct evidence supporting the claim and the reliance on secondary reports, the credibility of the assertion is questionable. The sources reporting on the shooting and the reactions are credible, but they do not substantiate the specific wording attributed to Mayor Mendenhall.
Conclusion
Needs Research: The claim that Mayor Erin Mendenhall condemned the shooting during a press briefing on June 14, 2025, and specifically stated that "the violence does not define the city" cannot be verified with the current available evidence. While it is clear that she condemned the violence, there is no direct source confirming her exact words or the context in which they were said. Further investigation into official press releases or transcripts from that day would be necessary to fully validate or refute the claim.
Sources
- Newsroom - Mayor's Office
- Erin Mendenhall | (801) 535-7704 - Mayor's Office
- Press Releases - Mayor's Office
- Mayor Mendenhall's Sept. 21 Statement
- Utah leaders condemn shooting at 'No Kings' protest
- 2 people shot, including suspect in custody, during 'No ...
- Utah leaders condemn shooting at 'No Kings' protest
- Mendenhall pushes SLC crime, camping crackdown in new plan - FOX 13 Utah
