Marcelo Gutierrez's tragic death has left numerous questions unanswered and 10 months later the family is still searching for closure. After months of requests for progress on the investigation the South Jordan police refuses to work with the family to reveal the circumstances of a mental health episode that resulted in death at the hands of South Jordan Police Department. We demand the South Jordan Police Department and Sim Gill step forward and agree to the transparency that this situation extremely warrants. Release the names of the officers involved in Marcelo's case. Accountability is important in ensuring justice for Marcelo. We ask that the body camera footage from the day of this unfortunate event be disclosed to the public. We have a right to understand the circumstances surrounding his tragic death. Lastly, we demand the return of Marcelo's personal belongings be returned to his family. “In 2020, at least 40% of people Utah police shot at were experiencing a mental health event, according to a Salt Lake Tribune database that tracks police shootings. These are cases in which police determined or family members reported that a person had a mental health issue, mental disability or was suicidal.” This is even more alarming in the context of Utah having the highest rates of mental health illness and adult suicidal ideation more than any other state. While Salt Lake County does have non-police crisis response teams, police are oftentimes still the first responders to crisis and result in violence by police or in death–like in the case of 13 year old Linden Cameron. 

“In 1991, Utah’s legislature enacted the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) to increase access to public records and protect personal, confidential information. However, some departments and municipalities like South Jordan release notices of discipline without providing any information on officers’ conduct.” (Barron) Given this context, our demands are not extraordinary, but necessary for justice. We request your support in signing this petition to press for the truth that Marcelo and his family rightfully deserve.  

We demand the South Jordan Police Department: 

Release the body cam footage
Release the names of officers involved
Return Marcelo’s personal belongings to his family 
Honor the Guiterrez family’s GRAMA Requests 

Familys gofundme: 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/marcelos-funeral-memorial-legal-fees?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabzlctTHIqPdQgtMvVNxJyOJYJilclGHAJYZwJfrHoK-8__ZNY0M1loDO8_aem_MH30E1aW-w-SImz_gpEXPg