Two killed, six injured in shooting outside Salt Lake City church during memorial service

Two people were killed and six others were injured in a shooting outside a church in Salt Lake City on Wednesday night as mourners gathered inside for a memorial service, according to police. The shooting occurred in the rear parking lot of a house of worship belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Authorities said all of the victims were adults. At least three of those injured were reported to be in critical condition late Wednesday. No suspect had been taken into custody, and police continued to search for the person responsible.

Investigators indicated that the shooting was not believed to be motivated by hostility toward a particular religion. Police also said the incident did not appear to be random, though details about a possible motive had not been released. The investigation remained active, with officers reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and data from license plate readers in the area.

The church building, a red brick structure located in a northwest Salt Lake City neighborhood, primarily serves Tongan congregants and regularly holds worship services in the Tongan language, according to information posted by the congregation. At the time of the shooting, dozens of people were inside attending a funeral for an individual who had not been publicly identified.

Residents from a neighboring low-income housing complex responded quickly after hearing gunshots, rushing toward the parking lot to assist the wounded and comfort grieving attendees. Several neighbors described scenes of panic and distress as people tried to help those who had been shot while waiting for emergency responders to arrive.

Witnesses living nearby reported hearing multiple gunshots while inside their apartments. Some ran outside immediately to see what had happened and encountered injured individuals on the ground as others attempted to provide aid. First responders were seen transporting victims to ambulances while family members and community members gathered nearby, many visibly shaken.

Law enforcement responded in large numbers, with roughly 100 police vehicles converging on the scene. Helicopters circled overhead as officers secured the area and began their investigation. Nearby streets were closed for several hours while police processed the scene and searched for evidence. Neighbors and church members waited nearby for information, some wrapped in blankets as they watched the response unfold.

City officials said the violence was especially troubling because it occurred outside a place of worship during a memorial service, an event meant to honor life and bring people together. The church, which is headquartered in Salt Lake City, said it was cooperating fully with law enforcement and expressed gratitude for the rapid response of first responders.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a significant presence in Utah, with about half of the state’s 3.5 million residents identifying as members. Church buildings are common fixtures in neighborhoods throughout Salt Lake City and across the state.

The incident comes amid heightened concern for religious institutions following a deadly attack at a church in Michigan last month. In that case, four people were killed, and federal investigators said the shooter was motivated by anti-religious beliefs directed at Latter-day Saints. Authorities in Utah said there was no indication of a similar motive in Wednesday’s shooting as the investigation continued.