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Utah Dept. of Health building shot at overnight

Vandalism follows protests targeting health workers
Posted at 11:41 AM, Oct 30, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-30 18:58:38-04

MILLCREEK, Utah — An office belonging to the Utah Department of Health was shot at overnight, FOX 13 has learned.

The agency confirmed someone shot at an office it has in Millcreek near 3700 South and Highland Drive with what appeared to be a pellet gun. Photos shared with FOX 13 show a glass door and windows were damaged, but no one was injured and it did not appear that anyone had broken in. Damage appeared to be minor.

Vandalism at UDOH building
Vandalism at a building belonging to Utah's Department of Health in Millcreek.

The Utah Department of Public Safety, which often provides security for state-run facilities, did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

UDOH vandalism 2
Vandalism at a UDOH building in Millcreek

"It's unclear what, if any, relation there is between this incident and recent protests at the homes of public health officials," UDOH spokeswoman Charla Haley told FOX 13.

The vandalism follows anti-mask protests that have attempted to intimidate UDOH employees at their homes. A handful of demonstrators on Thursday gathered outside the home of state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn. However, police intervened and would not let the crowd gather and made them march down the street. Lt. Governor Spencer Cox said in a post on Twitter another state health employee's home was also targeted.

In a statement to FOX 13 on Friday, the governor denounced the vandalism and the protests.

"I am disgusted by the attempts to intimidate public health workers. Targeting the selfless civil servants who work to keep our communities healthy is cruel and ridiculous," he said. "Our public safety teams will continue to work to protect the safety of those who work in public health."