Real Salt Lake Suspends Sam Johnson Amid Investigation Into Shooting At House Party

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake designated player Sam Johnson has been “prohibited from engaging in any team-related activity” after reports surfaced of Johnson hosting a house party when shots were fired.

The RSL Show first reported the news regarding a shooting at a West Jordan home on the night of October 4th during a house party that involved roughly 100 people. A man was shot in the shoulder and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The home in which all of this unfolded, is allegedly Sam Johnson’s.

Sam Johnson, #RSL DP/FW is reported to have been holding house parties at his West Jordan home. Sources indicate that this article refers to an incident in which shots were fired during a party with more than 100 guests in attendance.https://t.co/cO0QlGvty7

— The RSL Show (@rslshow) October 12, 2020

Club Statement

“The team and League are aware of the incident and are currently conducting an investigation. In accordance with health and safety protocols, the player is prohibited from engaging in any team-related activity. We will have no further comment until the conclusion of the League’s investigation.” The club responded to the reports.

Hosting house parties during the pandemic is a violation of league and team COVID-19 protocol. Police are now investigating the incident.

“He was not cooperative with providing information and said he was shot in State Street as he walked, by an unknown person,” West Jordan Police Department Sgt. J.C. Holt told Gephardt Daily. Officials believe he was shot at the house party.

Johnson signed a two-year deal with RSL in February of 2018 with a club option for a third year. Johnson has scored 10 goals in 30 appearances for RSL during his stint in Utah.

This story will be updated as more news becomes available.