The indoor playground in Utah where Sarah Elias allegedly shot her ex-husband after he showed up to see their children (KSTU/YouTube).
A Utah mother allegedly shot her ex-husband at close range in a Salt Lake City indoor playground during a heated custody dispute, subsequently making disparaging remarks about him to their children, according to police reports.
Sarah Elias, 34, is facing charges of attempted murder and domestic violence with an injury or weapon in the presence of a child. The charges stem from her alleged actions at the Kids Empire indoor playground, where she reportedly shot her former spouse twice.
According to court documents acquired by The Salt Lake Tribune and local NBC station KSL, Elias’ ex-husband informed police that he arrived at the playground unannounced. He claimed that Elias had prevented him from seeing their children for several months.
Witnesses reported that Elias and her children were regular visitors to Kids Empire and were present on May 22, the day of the incident. They overheard Elias on a phone call, believed to be with her ex-husband, where she allegedly stated, “You can just take me to court,” just before the shooting took place, as per the court documents.
Employees told police that Elias and her children regularly go to Kids Empire and were there on May 22 when the shooting occurred. They said Elias could be overheard talking to someone on the phone before the shooting, presumably her ex, and telling them, “You can just take me to court,” according to the court documents.
Elias, who is usually talkative, began “pacing back and forth and looking out the windows” after initially appearing “eerily calm” upon her arrival, the employees alleged.
When her ex arrived, Elias proclaimed it was “showtime” before smiling and walking outside to meet him, according to the employees and court documents. The victim told police Elias allegedly began “kicking” and “throwing elbows” at him before taking out a handgun and threatening him with it.
The man then walked into Kids Empire and Elias allegedly followed. She opened fire on him inside the business and shot him “point blank,” according to the employees and court documents. A worker immediately took their children outside and Elias allegedly came out to retrieve them while appearing “calm as a cucumber,” per the employee.
“After the gunshots, Elias stood still for a second; she didn’t look fazed or shocked,” the court documents say, per KSL. “She didn’t look like she cared.”
The worker with the children told police Elias came outside and told the kids that “nothing happened” and “daddy has issues,” according to the court documents. Officers then showed up and arrested her, the Tribune reports.
Court records viewed by the newspaper show that Elias and the father were married in 2020, and that the ex-husband filed temporary separation documents in 2024. Their divorce was finalized in March 2026, citing “irreconcilable differences.”
Elias was granted primary custody of the kids, but she allegedly refused to let them see their father regularly despite having a joint-custody agreement.
“He had been trying for the last two months to pick up his daughters for parent-time, however, Elias has not been allowing it,” the court documents allege, per KSL.
Police say Elias purchased the gun used in the shooting one week earlier. She is being held in Salt Lake County without bond.