The indoor playground in Utah where Sarah Elias allegedly shot her ex-husband after he showed up to see their children (KSTU/YouTube).
In a shocking incident at an indoor playground in Utah, a mother reportedly shot her children’s father at close range amidst a heated custody conflict. The woman then allegedly criticized him to the kids, claiming “Daddy has issues,” as detailed by local authorities.
Sarah Elias, a 34-year-old resident of Salt Lake City, faces charges of attempted murder and domestic violence involving a weapon in the presence of children. The accusations follow an alleged attack on her former husband at a Kids Empire facility in Salt Lake City.
According to court records reviewed by The Salt Lake Tribune and KSL, a local NBC outlet, Elias’ ex-husband approached the police, explaining he arrived unexpectedly to see his children after being denied access for several months.
The documents state that he “found them” at the playground.
Witnesses informed authorities that Elias frequently visited Kids Empire with her kids and was present on May 22 when the shooting took place. Prior to the incident, she was overheard on the phone, likely with her ex, declaring, “You can just take me to court,” as per the court filings.
Known to be talkative, Elias was observed by employees acting unusually, pacing and peering out the windows after initially seeming “eerily calm” upon her entrance, they reported.
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.
