Utah mom was ‘calm as a cucumber’ after allegedly shooting ex at an indoor playground

SALT LAKE CITY (TCN) -- A mother has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting her ex-husband, who arrived at an indoor playground in the hopes of seeing his children.

According to charging documents obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune, 34-year-old Sarah Elias had reportedly not allowed her ex-husband, 37-year-old Matthew Daniel Elias, to see their two children, ages 3 and 5, in months.

The children and their mother regularly went to Kids Empire, an indoor playground, and Sarah Elias’ ex-husband went there on May 22 to find them. According to employees at Kids Empire, Sarah Elias took a call from someone and allegedly said, “You can take me to court,” and paced back and forth while looking out the windows.

When Matthew Elias arrived at the business, Sarah Elias reportedly gave employees her children’s information as well as her address “in case something happens,” according to the Tribune. She then smiled and said, “Showtime” before going outside to see her ex. They reportedly argued, and within a few minutes, Matthew Elias came into the business and told them to call the police, saying that Sarah Elias had threatened to shoot him.

Sarah Elias then entered Kids Empire and allegedly shot her ex twice at point blank range, according to the Tribune. An employee took the children outside, and when Sarah Elias came out to get them a few minutes later, she was reportedly “calm as a cucumber.” 

KSL reports she allegedly told her children “Daddy has issues.”

Police arrived and arrested Sarah Elias, the Salt Lake Tribune reports. Matthew Elias was taken to the hospital in critical condition for gunshot wounds to the chest and pelvis. In district court, Sarah Elias was charged with attempted murder on June 3. KSL reports she was also charged with four counts of committing domestic violence in the presence of a child.

Investigators learned that Sarah Elias had allegedly purchased the weapon used a week before the incident, according to the Tribune. She and her ex had reportedly married in 2020 but divorced in 2024, citing irreconcilable differences. Though Sarah Elias had primary custody of the two children, her ex was supposed to see them frequently.