Salt Lake City Police Department arrested 44-year-old Anthony Jack for his alleged involvement in several crimes, including multiple burglaries. FILE: KSL TV
SALT LAKE CITY — Police say a possible gas leak on South Temple Thursday in Salt Lake City instead turned out to be a possible terrorist threat.
Salt Lake police officers responded to reports of someone allegedly threatening to blow up an apartment building up.
Upon arrival near 1000 East and South Temple in downtown Salt Lake City, police noticed a strong smell of natural gas in the building.
The building and those around it were immediately evacuated, police say.
As officers investigated the building, other residents of the building helped police identify the suspect, saying that he threatened to blow up the building.
One resident in the building reportedly showed police text messages from the suspect. Police said those messages showed he specifically said he planned to blow the building up.
Officers discovered that the suspect’s stove was left on and found an even stronger smell of natural gas inside his apartment.
Police booked the man on suspicion of making a threat of terrorism related to the scare.
The suspect denied involvement in the situation. However, police said the suspect told officers he felt suicidal.
This story is developing, stay tuned for more details.