Sarah Elias allegedly told her ex-husband "it's showtime" before shooting him twice at point-blank range inside a crowded indoor playground where their children were playing, according to police in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Background
Elias, 34, and the father of her children had been locked in an escalating custody dispute. Court records viewed by the Salt Lake Tribune show they married in 2020, and 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 their daughters, but she allegedly refused to allow the father regular visits 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," court documents allege, according to KSL.
Employees at Kids Empire told police that Elias and her children regularly frequented the indoor playground. On May 22, they were there when the shooting occurred.
The Charges
Elias is charged with attempted murder and domestic violence involving an injury or weapon in the presence of a child. Police say she purchased the firearm used in the shooting just one week earlier.
According to court documents obtained by the Salt Lake Tribune and KSL, employees overheard Elias talking on the phone before the shooting, presumably with her ex-husband, telling him "You can just take me to court." When the father arrived unannounced to see their children, witnesses say Elias proclaimed it was "showtime" before smiling and walking outside to meet him.
The victim told police that Elias allegedly began "kicking" and "throwing elbows" at him before taking out a handgun and threatening him with it. She then followed him into Kids Empire and opened fire, shooting him twice at point blank range inside the business, according to employees and court documents.
"After the gunshots, Elias stood still for a second; she didn't look fazed or shocked," the court documents state, per KSL. "She didn't look like she cared."
A worker immediately took the children outside. When Elias came out to retrieve them, she appeared "calm as a cucumber" and told the kids that "nothing happened" and "daddy has issues," according to the employee.
"[The ex-husband] found them," the documents say of how he discovered his daughters at the playground after months of being denied access.
Elias was arrested at the scene by responding officers. She is being held in Salt Lake County Jail without bond pending prosecution.
Key Takeaways
- Sarah Elias, 34, allegedly shot her ex-husband twice at point-blank range inside Kids Empire indoor playground in Salt Lake City on May 22
- She faces charges of attempted murder and domestic violence involving a weapon in the presence of a child
- The shooting occurred during an ongoing custody dispute; Elias had allegedly refused to let the father see their children for two months
- Witnesses say Elias told her ex it was "showtime" before the shooting, then told the children "daddy has issues" afterward
- Police say Elias purchased the gun one week prior to the incident
What's Next
Elias remains in custody at Salt Lake County Jail without bond. She is expected to face preliminary hearings in connection with the charges of attempted murder and domestic violence involving an injury or weapon in the presence of a child. The investigation into the custody dispute and the circumstances leading up to the shooting is ongoing.