A shooting incident occurred Wednesday evening outside a funeral service in Salt Lake City, Utah, resulting in two fatalities and six injuries. The event took place at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse in the Rose Park neighborhood. Authorities reported that all victims were adults and three of the injured remained in critical condition following the incident.
Incident Details
The shooting occurred shortly after 7:30 p.m. local time, specifically around 7:36 p.m., at a chapel located at 660 N. Redwood Road. An altercation in the church's rear parking lot during a funeral service reportedly escalated into gunfire. Upon the arrival of police and firefighters, the suspect(s) had already departed the scene. Some gunshot victims were transported to a hospital by private vehicles before the arrival of emergency services.
Casualties
Eight individuals were identified as victims in the shooting. Two adults were confirmed deceased. Six other adults sustained injuries, with three reported to be in critical condition. The condition of the remaining three injured victims was undisclosed or unknown as of initial reports.
Law Enforcement Response and Investigation
As of Wednesday night, no suspects had been apprehended in connection with the shooting. The Salt Lake City Police Department initiated an investigation and a manhunt. The suspect vehicle was described as a gray or silver car, last observed traveling north on Redwood Road.
Police Chief Brian Redd stated that investigators do not believe the incident was a targeted attack against a religion, nor do they consider it a random act. The police gang unit was present at the scene as part of the investigation. Approximately 100 law enforcement vehicles were deployed, and helicopters conducted overhead surveillance. Detectives are reviewing license plate readers and security footage from nearby businesses. A search perimeter was established from 500 North to 700 North on Redwood Road, extending to the Jordan River. Two individuals were briefly detained for questioning during the investigation. The FBI's Salt Lake field office offered assistance to the Salt Lake City Police Department. Authorities advised that Redwood Road in the affected area was expected to remain closed for several hours.
Individuals with information regarding the shooting are encouraged to contact police dispatch at 801-799-3000.
Official Statements
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall issued a statement expressing support for the victims' families and stated that violence should not occur at a place of worship or during a celebration of life, committing law enforcement to apprehending those responsible. A spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sam Penrod, acknowledged the incident, stating the Church was cooperating with law enforcement and expressed concern for all impacted.
Community Impact and Context
The church building, located in a northwest Salt Lake City neighborhood, primarily serves Tongan congregants and conducts regular worship services in the Tongan language. Residents in the vicinity reported hearing multiple gunshots. Some funeral attendees were kept inside the church building by police as a perimeter was established. Residents from an adjacent housing complex reportedly provided assistance to victims and offered support to attendees of the funeral service. The Salt Lake City Council released a statement of concern for the Rose Park community, and Utah Sen. Mike Lee encouraged anyone with information to contact police.
Approximately half of Utah's 3.5 million residents are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The faith community had reportedly been on heightened alert following a separate incident last month in a Michigan church, where four people were killed in an attack the FBI determined was motivated by anti-religious beliefs targeting Latter-day Saints.