SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) – The Salt Lake City Police Department is issuing an apology after officers raided the wrong the house. They were looking for a drug dealer, but instead gave an elderly woman the scare of her life.
"I stand before you today letting you know this was a mistake," said Chris Burbank, Salt Lake Police Chief.
Salt Lake Police Chief Chris Burbank said his officers messed up.
"This is unacceptable circumstance that I take full responsibility for," said Burbank.
Wednesday night police raided a Salt Lake home near 300 East and Hubbard Ave. by mistake. An elderly woman was home alone, when officers smashed down her door, guns drawn, and put her in custody. But she didn't do anything wrong. Police had the wrong address.
"The impact was significant to this individual, one I'm sorry for, and in fact sorry to our entire community," said Burbank.
Police were looking for a dangerous drug dealer in the neighborhood. But instead gave an old woman the scare of her life.
"The next thing you know they were telling her get down, get down, get down," said Paul Fracasso, next door neighbor.
Paul Fracasso lives next door and saw the entire thing. He's now lost trust police will do their job right.
"They could've done it at my mom's house or at my grandma's house, anything," said Fracasso.
Other neighbors share his concern.
"It's disconcerting," said Michael Ryan, neighbor.
"I think it's crazy they didn't double check what was happening," said Marie Hollinger, neighbor.
So far police don't have answers.
"Why did it take place? Where did we stumble? Was it individuals? Was it collective? It's a little too soon for that," said Burbank.
Police tell ABC 4 they are looking into how this mistake could've been made. At least one Salt Lake officer has been put on administrative leave.
