Police are investigating after a man was shot and killed in Pioneer Park overnight Wednesday.
SALT LAKE CITY — Police are investigating the death of a man who was shot and killed in Pioneer Park overnight Wednesday.
Officers responding to reports of shots fired in the area about 1: 30 a.m. found the body of Shawn Manymules, 26, on the west side of the park, Salt Lake police detective Robert Ungricht said.
Detectives were working Wednesday to determine who may have been responsible for the shooting and what may have motivated the attack, Ungricht said. Heavy rain overnight slowed the investigation as officers focused on setting up awnings and preserving the scene of the shooting in order to not lose evidence in the inclement weather, he said.
Manymules was known to Salt Lake police officers, Ungricht said, but it was unclear Wednesday whether he had been staying in the downtown area near the Road Home shelter. The neighborhood is frequented by scores of people experiencing homelessness.
Police were able to notify relatives of Manymules about the shooting, though one distraught family member had to be taken into police custody after breaching the police barrier and rushing into the crime scene, Ungricht said.
The shooting comes just a day after a man died in a series of assaults among homeless individuals near a freeway overpass west of the park. Police say Kevin Joseph McCann, 55, died of apparent blunt force trauma after Kepedro Kegler, 43, launched an unprovoked “surprise attack” on him with a large paving stone Tuesday.
Kegler was booked into Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of murder, as well attempted murder for the alleged assault of three other people.
House Speaker Greg Hughes called the fatal assault yet “another tragedy” in the area Tuesday as he called for a crackdown on violence and lawlessness.
According to a search of state court records, Manymules pleaded guilty in 2011 to theft and failing to stop for law enforcement.
Since 2008, he has also been convicted of misdemeanor charges of consumption of alcohol by a minor, unlawfully taking protected wild fish, interfering with an arresting officer, criminal mischief, criminal trespass and failing to appear on a citation.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Salt Lake police at 801-799-3000. Information can also be submitted by text to TIPSLCPD, followed by the message, to 274637. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
