A funeral service in Salt Lake City ended in tragedy Wednesday evening after gunfire erupted in the parking lot of a local church, leaving two adults dead and six others injured. The shooting took place shortly after 7:30 p.m. in the Rose Park neighborhood outside a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Chaos During Funeral Service
According to police, a physical altercation involving multiple individuals broke out during the funeral gathering inside the church shortly before shots were fired outside. Approximately 200 people were in attendance at the time, prompting an immediate lockdown of the building while officers secured the perimeter.
Witnesses recalled hearing multiple volleys of gunfire, followed by screams and a rush of people seeking safety. Residents living nearby described the area being flooded with emergency vehicles within minutes.
Victims and Medical Response
Authorities confirmed that all eight victims are adults. Two individuals died at the scene, while six others sustained injuries of varying severity. Three of the wounded were listed in critical condition late Wednesday night, while three others were transported by private vehicles before first responders arrived, leaving their conditions initially unclear.
Firefighters, paramedics, and police remained on-site for hours as investigators documented the scene and assisted families present for the service.
Suspects Remain at Large
Police reported that the shooter – or possibly multiple shooters – fled before officers arrived. A gray or silver vehicle was seeing leaving the area heading north. Detectives are still working to determine whether the attacker was connected to the funeral or arrived independently.
Investigators briefly detained two individuals for questioning, but later confirmed they were not considered suspects. A manhunt remains active, and authorities noted they received several credible leads from the public.
Officials emphasized there is no indication the shooting was religiously motivated. Gang detectives responded to the scene, though investigators have not confirmed a motive.
Community and Church Response
Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints expressed sorrow and offered support to the families affected. Local officials also condemned the violence, with Salt Lake City’s mayor calling the incident “a heartbreaking act that robbed families of peace on a night meant to honor a life.”
The church location serves members of two Tongan Latter-day Saint congregations, and many community members remained outside long after police arrived, seeking updates or offering support.
Continuing Investigation
Redwood Road remained shut down for several hours as law enforcement collected evidence and interviewed witnesses. The FBI’s Salt Lake field office offered support in the ongoing investigation, and Utah officials urged anyone with information to assist police.
Authorities encouraged residents with relevant footage or eyewitness accounts to contact the Salt Lake City police dispatch line as detectives work to identify those responsible.
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