From Deseret News archives:

More details emerging on Trolley Square gunman and victims

State officials, business owners, clergy extend sympathies, offer help

Published: Friday, Feb. 16, 2007 12:50 p.m. MST
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Police remain tight-lipped about any possible motive behind the rampage, but detectives visited Talovic's South Salt Lake workplace Tuesday morning, Aramark Uniform Services, and questioned employees.

In a statement released Tuesday by the Salt Lake School District, officials released few details about Talovic, but did say he had been enrolled there.

"He attended several schools in our district ... many for a short time," said Jason Olsen, district spokesman. Olsen said Talovic last completed one term in the 2004-05 school year before he "withdrew in November 2004" to work.

Olsen declined to say when Talovic first enrolled or release any other information, saying "We're not going to go into his history."

But Danny Shwam was Talovic's ninth-grade teacher while he was enrolled in Highland-Garfield Alternative program.

"He was quiet and stayed to himself," but didn't cause any trouble, Shwam said. Asked about hearing that Talovic was identified as the Trolley Square gunman, Shwam said, "I guess it would be a total shock."

Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank said Talovic drove his car to the mall, parked in the west parking terrace and encountered two people, including Munns, who he shot before entering the mall at about 6:45 p.m. as hundreds dined and shopped.

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In the mall, he encountered a female who also was shot immediately, then went into a gift shop where there were five people, all of whom were shot. Moving through the mall, the gunman tried to shoot others, Burbank said. The chief said he could not say now how many shots were involved in the entire episode.

The shooting forced dozens to dive for cover and even hours afterward frightened shoppers were being escorted from the mall by police officers after being coaxed to safety.

Burbank praised Hammond who took action at the mall to intervene in the incident.

"There's no question his quick actions saved the lives of numerous other people. ... The heroic acts of this individual officer going in and engaging the suspect who was well armed and prepared to engage him, without having benefit of the uniform, extra equipment, ... is truly heroic."

Burbank said it was "basically a shootout" between Hammond and the gunman until other officers arrived and the suspect was killed. Four Salt Lake Police officers who discharged their weapons in the battle are on paid administrative leave, as is the off-duty Ogden officer. Such action is routine in officer-involved shootings.

Greiner said that although the gunman shot at Hammond, he was not injured. Greiner said the officer's wife was shaken, but is doing OK. "It's understandable, there was considerable carnage."

Burbank reiterated Monday night's devastation.

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Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Morning News

Jessica Kirby leaves flowers in the police tape at Trolley Square in Salt Lake City Tuesday morning.

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