Whodathunkit - Little Old Provo

[strappinglad]

What a surprise .

Google Provo protest shooting. 

[Calm]

Yep, being talked about in the Elder Bednar thread iirc. 
 

Thankfully he had been caught though have not read of the other guy with a gun being arrested yet.
 

Unfortunately it looks like some of the organizers from SLC are intending to come back with “thousands” today, so anyone in the Provo area would be wise avoid downtown. (From a video of the protest after the gunshot where you can hear one of the men who is directing protestors with a bull horn I believe talk about his plans with someone else while walking around.)

Edited July 1, 2020 by Calm

[smac97]

35 minutes ago, strappinglad said:

What a surprise .

Google Provo protest shooting. 

I live in Provo.  Last night my college-age daughter and a friend were headed out.  I asked where they were headed, and they said "To walk around the temple."  I found myself saying "You'll need to go to the Provo Temple, since there were violent protests right next to the City Center Temple, including a shooting of a passing driver."

If someone had told me six months ago that I would need to be giving my daughter such cautionary advice, I would not have believed it.

An update on the story:

Quote

Police have arrested two people on Tuesday in connection with a shooting during a protest in downtown Provo.

Jesse Taggart, a 33-year-old Salt Lake City resident, and Samantha Darling, a 27-year-old from Ogden, were taken into custody at the Utah County Jail, Provo Police reported on Twitter.

Taggart was accused of attempted aggravated murder, aggravated assault, rioting and threatening the use of a weapon in a fight, the post states.

Darling, police said, was accused 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 agency said in a tweet. “The investigation of criminal acts... is ongoing.”

On Monday, a man shot the driver of an SUV that sped through a crowd of protesters.

The driver’s wounds were not life-threatening and he was able to drive himself to Utah Valley Hospital, according to police.

A group protesting police brutality had gathered at the intersection of University Avenue and Center Street on Monday evening, according to Lt. Brian Taylor of the Provo Police Department, and a second group arrived to express their support for police. Shortly after 8:30 p.m., protesters were in the street, blocking cars, when a large, white SUV heading south on University Avenue pushed its way through a crowd of protesters, knocking several of them aside.

In a video circulating on social media, the SUV can be seen pushing protesters out of the way as it moves forward, and a loud pop can be heard. According to Taylor, the driver of the SUV — a man in his 60s — was shot.

According to a statement released by the city of Provo, the driver of the SUV pulled into the right turn lane to turn onto Center Street when “several protesters began crowding around the vehicle.” The statement from Deputy Police Chief John Geyerman does not mention the SUV driving into several protesters, but adds that the driver “hit the gas trying to leave the situation.”

According to Geyerman, “The same protester ran after the vehicle and shot a second round that went through the rear passenger window” before concealing the weapon. He “later approached another vehicle at 500 North and University Avenue, striking and breaking the window with the handgun.”

In the same statement, Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi called peaceful protests “a fundamental right” before adding, “Criminal acts and violence such as we saw last night in Provo were anything but peaceful and are UNACCEPTABLE.”

“There are a number of videos that show a person on the street approaching this vehicle and discharging a couple of bullets into that car,” Taylor said Tuesday morning.

The shooter caught on video was “thoroughly masked,” Taylor said. Police do not know if he was there with one protesting group or the other.

“We don’t know what his intentions were. We don’t know what his involvement with the crowd was,” Taylor said. “We just know that he was there.”

Provo police ask that anyone with information about the shooting call 801-852-6210 or email npaterson@provo.org.

A video:

From the above clip: "The protesters say this was all supposed to be peaceful.  A night where they could come together and voice their opinions about racial discrimination.  But it quickly turned violent.  Some protesters even saying {it was} the most violent protest they've ever been to."

The video of the supposed-to-be-peaceful protest starts at the 0:15 mark.  The "protesters" are walking down the middle of the street, surrounding and standing in front of and swarming vehicles in the street.  This is not "peaceful" behavior.  It's reckless, illegal, and menacing.

Some useful idiot is heard at the 0:22 mark (played to images of "protesters" walking in the middle of the street): "We were all intent {on} going out to be peaceful and just, um, voice our opinion on how racial discrimination is wrong and how people should be treated fairly and equally, no matter what skin color they are."

Um, no. 

Blocking traffic is not a "peaceful" voicing of an "opinion." 

Mobbing motorists in their vehicles is not a "peaceful" voicing of an "opinion." 

From the above clip (at the 1:25 mark): "Sullivan, as well as other protesters, say this wasn't the only act of violence.  Four to five other cars tried to run over protester, injuring several people."

It takes a special kind of idiocy to equate A) "violence" in terms of lawless rioters swarming motorists as they drive down the street with B) "violence" in terms of terrified motorists trying to escape a mob surrounding, pounding on, and throwing objects at their vehicles.

Take a look at this video (taken right next to the Provo City Center Temple):

Standing in front of and blocking moving vehicles is not a "peaceful" voicing of an "opinion." 

Throwing objects at moving vehicles is not a "peaceful" voicing of an "opinion." 

Physically holding on to a moving vehicle, apparently to get the motorist to stop so that the rioters can get at him/her, is not a "peaceful" voicing of an "opinion." 

Climbing onto the hood of a moving vehicle, also apparently to get the motorist to stop so that the rioters can get at him/her, is not a "peaceful" voicing of an "opinion." 

And yes, shooting at passing motorists is not a "peaceful" voicing of an "opinion."

Violence, threats of violence, and actualized injuries are pretty foreseeable consequences of unlawful protests.

Looks like a concealed carry permit is worthwhile.

Thanks,

-Smac

Edited July 1, 2020 by smac97

[smac97]

19 minutes ago, Calm said:

Yep, being talked about in the Elder Bednar thread iirc. 
 

Thankfully he had been caught though have not read of the other guy with a gun being arrested yet.
 

Unfortunately it looks like some of the organizers from SLC are intending to come back with “thousands” today, so anyone in the Provo area would be wise avoid downtown. (From a video of the protest after the gunshot where you can hear one of the men who is directing protestors with a bull horn I believe talk about his plans with someone else while walking around.)

Calm, can you provide a link to the video you are referencing?

[ksfisher]

1 hour ago, smac97 said:

Looks like a concealed carry permit is worthwhile.

I agree with everything you said except this.  I think deescalation or just old fashioned running away would lead to better outcomes than returning gunfire. 

In recent weeks we've seen trained professionals make mistakes in these sort of stressful situations.  Guns in the hands of inexperienced civilians (whether legally in the right or not) would seem, in my opinion, to have too high a probability of ending badly.

Edited July 1, 2020 by ksfisher

[smac97]

28 minutes ago, ksfisher said:

Quote

Looks like a concealed carry permit is worthwhile.

I agree with everything you said except this.  I think deescalation or just old fashioned running away would lead to better outcomes than returning gunfire. 

I'm happy to de-escalate or run away.  I'm not looking for a fight.  

But if rioters threaten me or my family, and if de-escalation or running away are not available options in the moment, I want to be able to defend me and my family in the moment.

Quote

In recent weeks we've seen trained professionals make mistakes in these sort of stressful situations.  Guns in the hands of in experienced civilians (whether legally in the right or not) would seem, in my opinion, to have too high a probability of ending badly.

As long as we are letting riots happen, the rule of law is not fully in force. 

As long as the rule of law is not fully in force, I cannot repose my normative confidence in the police to be available to protect me and mine.  As the old saying goes "When seconds count, the police are minutes away."

The thing I want least is to harm another human being.  But the thing I want most is to protect the lives of my wife and children.  

Thanks,

-Smac

Edited July 1, 2020 by smac97

[USU78]

3 minutes ago, smac97 said:

I'm happy to de-escalate or run away.  I'm not looking for a fight.  

But if rioters threaten me or my family, I want to be able to defend me and my family.

As long as we are letting riots happen, the rule of law is not fully in force. 

As long as the rule of law is not fully in force, I cannot repose my normative confidence in the police to be available to protect me and mine.  As the old saying goes "When seconds count, the police are minutes away."

The thing I want least is to harm another human being.  But the thing I want most is to protect the lives of my wife and children.  

Thanks,

-Smac

As I stated yesterday, this is not there, this is here.  This is not theoretical, this is real.  I weep for my 12 grandkids, having to watch this happening down the street, in the next town over, anywhere in their state of residence.

This was not inevitable.  This was chosen, and I am delighted they charged the shooter with attempted murder.  Maybe (hoping against hope) this is not what I fear it is, but one has to consider whether this is what a sign of the times looks like at ground level.

[stemelbow]

12 minutes ago, ksfisher said:

I agree with everything you said except this.  I think deescalation or just old fashioned running away would lead to better outcomes than returning gunfire. 

In recent weeks we've seen trained professionals make mistakes in these sort of stressful situations.  Guns in the hands of in experienced civilians (whether legally in the right or not) would seem, in my opinion, to have too high a probability of ending badly.

Very true.  What a mess.  I'm disappointed in the other protestors who continued protesting after having learned that one among them shot at someone.  Attempting to be confrontational with any passerby is taking protesting to a place that is pointless.  

[OGHoosier]

3 minutes ago, USU78 said:

As I stated yesterday, this is not there, this is here.  This is not theoretical, this is real.  I weep for my 12 grandkids, having to watch this happening down the street, in the next town over, anywhere in their state of residence.

This was not inevitable.  This was chosen, and I am delighted they charged the shooter with attempted murder.  Maybe (hoping against hope) this is not what I fear it is, but one has to consider whether this is what a sign of the times looks like at ground level.

I'd say the hearts of the children of men are definitely waxing cold. 

[strappinglad]

Does anyone know if there was a police presence anywhere near? 

[USU78]

1 minute ago, strappinglad said:

Does anyone know if there was a police presence anywhere near? 

Or if a permit was pulled?

[smac97]

4 minutes ago, strappinglad said:

Does anyone know if there was a police presence anywhere near? 

Seems odd that protesters were allowed to take over the streets.  I would expect better of Provo PD.

2 minutes ago, USU78 said:

Or if a permit was pulled?

Or if a permit was pulled, if the "time, place and manner" restrictions were observed?

Seems unlikely that Provo City would authorize a protest involving walking in the middle of the streets, accosting and swarming passing motorists, throwing objects, preventing motorists from passing, shooting at motorists, etc.

Peaceful protests need to be well and truly peaceful.  Not kinda sorta.  Not "Hey, we were just obstructing traffic, swarming and menacing passersby, throwing object and passing vehicles, etc."

Thanks,

-Smac

[Calm]

1 hour ago, smac97 said:

Calm, can you provide a link to the video you are referencing?

Nope. Can’t figure out how to link to specific FB posts. The FB page is Sam Darling, Utah. (For Samantha) has a BLM logo on it. I remember it being a few posts down, but it is clearly marked as a protest in Utah. Maybe later Inwill look it up. Have workers fixing windows so no research right now. 

Edited July 1, 2020 by Calm

[smac97]

19 hours ago, Calm said:

Nope. Can’t figure out how to link to specific FB posts. The FB page is Sam Darling, Utah. (For Samantha) has a BLM logo on it. 

This one?  https://tinyurl.com/yah7tyn9

(Warning: Language)

(Warning: Lawless violence and menacing)

(Warning: Abject idiocy on display)

A few excerpts:

At the 3:50 mark: "Dude, we're gonna get hella people next time.  Like, we're going to promote the *^%& out of this.  We're gonna have thousands of people down here."

At the 4:10 mark: "We marching back to our starting spot.  For our safety.  Because people can't stand peaceful protesters."  (This is said just minutes after the mob is swarming motorist vehicles driving down the street, banging on them, swearing at the occupants, etc.)

At the 4:24 mark: "We cannot jump in front of the vehicles anymore."

At the 5:00 mark (in response to "Have you been here the whole time?"): "Yeah.  I got here late.  I said I was on my way, you know, from Salt Lake.  It was like 45 minutes."

At the 5:13 mark (in response to "Was that actually gunshots?"):

• A: "Yes!  I saw that &^%*."
• B: "Was it his {a passing motorist}?  Or was it a person in the crowd?"
• C : "No, it was coming from the %&^*&^& car."
• A: "I saw that &%^.  It was smoking.  I thought it was like the back of the car.  Then I saw the gun smoking and was like 'No way.'  Really?  In Provo?  Ya'll are Mormon types."
• B: "This is my first time in Provo."
• A: "We literally have to come back in numbers."
• B: "Yeah."
• A: "Like, I need everyone's help."
• B: "This is %^$&*(% nuts, man.  I wish I knew more people here.  I'd bring them."
• A: "Nah, I don't care if you have to drive all the way from Salt Lake City.  I'm going to get *all* the groups heated about it.
• B: "Okay.  Awesome."
• A: "Next time we're going to be here in, like, thousands."
• B: "Yeah."

Thanks,

-Smac

Edited July 2, 2020 by smac97

[Calm]

Yes. It was more towards the end, they had turned around and and started walking the other way. 
 

If I got it wrong, let me know as watching in middle of night with sleep deprivation and other stuff. So might have misheard. 

[bluebell]

12 minutes ago, smac97 said:

This one?

(Warning: Language)

(Warning: Lawless violence and menacing)

(Warning: Abject idiocy on display)

Thanks,

-Smac

At what point does the car start running over the protestors?  I tried watching it but didn't see it.

[Calm]

2 minutes ago, bluebell said:

At what point does the car start running over the protestors?  I tried watching it but didn't see it.

That is not the car one, but later in the night. But not much later if the shot was at 8:30 according to the sky.  They mention the gunshot and talk about general plans for tomorrow. 

Edited July 1, 2020 by Calm

[stemelbow]

20 minutes ago, smac97 said:

(Warning: Language)

(Warning: Lawless violence and menacing)

(Warning: Abject idiocy on display)

A few excerpts:

At the 3:50 mark: "Dude, we're gonna get hella people next time.  Like, we're going to promote the *^%& out of this.  We're gonna have thousands of people down here."

At the 4:10 mark: "We marching back to our starting spot.  For our safety.  Because people can't stand peaceful protesters."  (This is said just minutes after the mob is swarming motorist vehicles driving down the street, banging on them, swearing at the occupants, etc.)

At the 4:24 mark: "We cannot jump in front of the vehicles anymore."

At the 5:00 mark (in response to "Have you been here the whole time?"): "Yeah.  I got here late.  I said I was on my way, you know, from Salt Lake.  It was like 45 minutes."

At the 5:13 mark (in response to "Was that actually gunshots?"):

• A: "Yes!  I saw that &^%*."
• B: "Was it his {a passing motorist}?  Or was it a person in the crowd?"
• C : "No, it was coming from the %&^*&^& car."
• A: "I saw that &%^.  It was smoking.  I thought it was like the back of the car.  Then I saw the gun smoking and was like 'No way.'  Really?  In Provo?  Ya'll are Mormon types."
• B: "This is my first time in Provo."
• A: "We literally have to come back in numbers."
• B: "Yeah."
• A: "Like, I need everyone's help."
• B: "This is %^$&*(% nuts, man.  I wish I knew more people here.  I'd bring them."
• A: "Nah, I don't care if you have to drive all the way from Salt Lake City.  I'm going to get *all* the groups heated about it.
• B: "Okay.  Awesome."
• A: "Next time we're going to be here in, like, thousands."
• B: "Yeah."

Thanks,

-Smac

So they thought the car was shooting at them?  He thought he could use that to get more people upset and protesting in Provo?  Oops....Mixed that up, I guess.  

[smac97]

1 minute ago, stemelbow said:

So they thought the car was shooting at them?  He thought he could use that to get more people upset and protesting in Provo?  Oops....Mixed that up, I guess.  

I encourage you to listen to the entire video.  These folks are outraged that passing motorists are trying to escape the mobs in the streets.  They are claiming that they "tried to keep it peaceful."

I hope the Provo Police are out in force tonight.

Thanks,

-Smac

[bluebell]

12 minutes ago, Calm said:

That is not the car one, but later in the night. But not much later if the shot was at 8:30 according to the sky.  They mention the gunshot and talk about general plans for tomorrow. 

I was going off of the title the poster put on the video "A car started running over peaceful protesters in Provo Utah." 🤬

[stemelbow]

3 hours ago, smac97 said:

I encourage you to listen to the entire video.  These folks are outraged that passing motorists are trying to escape the mobs in the streets.  They are claiming that they "tried to keep it peaceful."

I hope the Provo Police are out in force tonight.

Thanks,

-Smac

I hope once they all realize there was a shooting, and it wasn't the car shooting at them, they discontinue their Provo protest.  I don't think its good for anyone.  I think with the couple of people arrested, related the shooting, they shouldn't attempt another go at this.  It looked sparsely attended and I can imagine it'd only be less so after what happened.  

Yes, they aren't helpful by seeing any car that passes by as an enemy and getting upset and physical.  It really appeared to be a disaster all around.  

[Scott Lloyd]

5 hours ago, Calm said:

Yep, being talked about in the Elder Bednar thread iirc. 
 

Thankfully he had been caught though have not read of the other guy with a gun being arrested yet.
 

Unfortunately it looks like some of the organizers from SLC are intending to come back with “thousands” today, so anyone in the Provo area would be wise avoid downtown. (From a video of the protest after the gunshot where you can hear one of the men who is directing protestors with a bull horn I believe talk about his plans with someone else while walking around.)

It might help dissuade them to know there have been arrests and charges made. 
 

Things quieted down PDQ in Salt Lake City after they arrested and charged some of the rioters who overturned the police car. 
 

Calling for the defunding of police at times like these is beyond idiocy. It is outrageously irresponsible. 

[Raingirl]

4 hours ago, smac97 said:

Seems odd that protesters were allowed to take over the streets.  I would expect better of Provo PD.

Or if a permit was pulled, if the "time, place and manner" restrictions were observed?

Seems unlikely that Provo City would authorize a protest involving walking in the middle of the streets, accosting and swarming passing motorists, throwing objects, preventing motorists from passing, shooting at motorists, etc.

Peaceful protests need to be well and truly peaceful.  Not kinda sorta.  Not "Hey, we were just obstructing traffic, swarming and menacing passersby, throwing object and passing vehicles, etc."

Thanks,

-Smac

Sounds like the so-called protests that have been happening here in Portland every night for over a month  

I am glad that we’ve been working remotely and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. We’re just a couple of blocks from the center of the protests and traveling to and from work would be impossible. Not to mention dangerous. I’ve been caught in previous protests and it’s terrifying. 

As it is, we’re repairing damage on almost a daily basis. 

[bsjkki]

Tonight, so far is violence free. That is a good thing.Traffic is moving well. Larger presence of police  and multiple groups on separate corners of the same intersection. https://www.facebook.com/KSLNewsradio/videos/2811903695709998

As peaceful protests commence, it is important that concerns are addressed and reforms happen.

 

[bsjkki]

New live stream. https://www.facebook.com/ksltv/videos/2339028793069251