Two people were killed and several others injured in a shooting outside a church in Salt Lake City, Utah, authorities confirmed on Wednesday.
The incident occurred in the parking lot of a meetinghouse belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon church, while dozens of mourners were attending a funeral service inside. Police said at least eight adults were shot during the incident. Two victims later succumbed to their injuries, while three others were listed in critical condition. The medical status of the remaining victims was not immediately disclosed.
Law enforcement officials said all those affected were adults and emphasized that there was no indication the attack was motivated by religious hatred. Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd stated that investigators do not believe the shooting was a targeted attack against the church or any faith group.
“We don’t believe this was a targeted attack against a religion or anything like that,” Redd said, adding that authorities also do not consider the shooting to be random. As of Wednesday, no suspect had been taken into custody.
The response to the incident was extensive, with approximately 100 law enforcement vehicles deployed to the scene and helicopters conducting aerial surveillance as investigators secured the area and assisted victims.
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall condemned the violence, describing it as deeply disturbing given the setting. “This should never have happened outside a place of worship. This should never have happened outside a celebration of life,” she said.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said it was cooperating fully with law enforcement and expressed gratitude to first responders for their swift action. Church spokesperson Sam Penrod conveyed condolences to those affected, saying the church was deeply troubled by the violence.
“We extend prayers for all who have been impacted by this tragedy and express deep concern that any sacred space intended for worship should be subjected to violence of any kind,” Penrod said.
The church is headquartered in Salt Lake City, and roughly half of Utah’s 3.5 million residents are members of the faith. Meetinghouses like the one involved in the shooting are common across the city and state.
The incident comes amid heightened security concerns at places of worship nationwide, following a recent deadly attack at a church in Michigan last month, where four people were killed in a separate shooting linked to anti-religious beliefs, according to the FBI.
