Fact Check: Utah Governor Spencer Cox called the shooting at the 'No Kings' protest in Salt Lake City a 'deeply troubling act of violence' in a statement released shortly after the incident.

Fact Check: "Utah Governor Spencer Cox called the shooting at the 'No Kings' protest in Salt Lake City a 'deeply troubling act of violence' in a statement released shortly after the incident."

What We Know

On June 14, 2025, a shooting occurred during the "No Kings" protest in Salt Lake City, which drew significant attention and concern from local leaders. Following the incident, Utah Governor Spencer Cox released a statement describing the shooting as “a deeply troubling act of violence and has no place in our public square” (source). This statement was made shortly after the shooting, which left one person critically injured and led to the arrest of three individuals (source).

Cox's remarks were part of a broader response to the protests that had been organized in opposition to various political issues, including President Trump's military parade planned for Washington, D.C. (source). The governor emphasized the importance of peaceful assembly while condemning any form of violence during these events (source).

Analysis

The claim that Governor Spencer Cox referred to the shooting as a "deeply troubling act of violence" is supported by multiple credible sources. The statement was reported by major news outlets, including The Salt Lake Tribune, which quoted Cox directly (source). The context of the statement aligns with the governor's ongoing stance against violence during protests, as he had previously warned that Utah would be "overprepared" to handle any disturbances (source).

The reliability of the sources reporting on this incident is high, as they include established news organizations and official statements from the governor's office. The Salt Lake Tribune is a well-respected local news outlet, and the Associated Press is known for its rigorous journalistic standards (source, source). Additionally, the governor's official website corroborates his position on the matter (source).

While some may question the political implications of Cox's statement, the evidence clearly shows that he condemned the violence directly and unequivocally. This condemnation is consistent with his previous statements regarding the need for peaceful protests and the intolerance of violence in Utah (source).

Conclusion

The claim that Utah Governor Spencer Cox called the shooting at the "No Kings" protest a "deeply troubling act of violence" is True. This assertion is supported by direct quotes from the governor and multiple reliable news sources reporting on the incident. The context of his statement reflects his commitment to maintaining public safety and upholding the right to peaceful assembly.

Sources

1. Governor Spencer J. Cox
2. Utah governor declares emergency ahead of expected protests
3. With eye on LA protests, Gov. Cox warns Utah will be 'overprepared ...
4. Utah leaders condemn shooting at 'No Kings' protest
5. Utah will be 'overprepared' should violent protests break out, Governor ...
6. 2 people shot, including suspect in custody, during 'No ...
7. One hospitalized after shooting at 'No Kings' protest in Salt ...
8. Gov. Cox issues warning ahead of weekend protests in Utah