Two people were killed and at least six others wounded Wednesday night after a shooting erupted during a memorial service at a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah, according to local officials.
Salt Lake City police said three of the injured victims were listed in critical condition as of Wednesday evening. Authorities confirmed that the victims are all adults. The suspects involved in the shooting remained at large late Wednesday, though police said they are actively pursuing leads.
“The suspects are still outstanding, but our officers have obtained solid leads and are working to locate those involved,” the Salt Lake City Police Department said in a statement.
Police Chief Brian Redd said investigators do not believe the shooting was a targeted attack against religion. According to Deseret News, Redd emphasized that while the location was a church, there is no indication at this time that the violence was motivated by religious animus.
A statement from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said the shooting occurred outside the church meetinghouse while a memorial service was being held inside the chapel. The church said it is cooperating fully with law enforcement and expressed gratitude for the response of first responders.
“The church is cooperating with law enforcement and is grateful for the efforts of first responders,” the statement said.
The red brick meetinghouse serves members of the local Tongan community and hosts weekly services conducted in the Tongan language, according to information posted on the church’s website. Residents in the surrounding area described scenes of chaos and heartbreak following the gunfire.
“As soon as I came over, I see someone on the ground,” a resident of a nearby apartment complex told the Associated Press. “People are attending to him and crying and arguing.”
The resident and his wife said that while gunshots are often heard in their neighborhood, they had never experienced violence so close or so severe.
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall issued a statement expressing condolences and praising the response from law enforcement and emergency personnel.
“This tragedy never should have happened, but the fact that it happened outside a place of worship during a celebration of life is especially heartbreaking,” Mendenhall said.
She added that she had been in constant contact with police leadership throughout the evening and voiced confidence that investigators would identify and apprehend those responsible. Mendenhall also thanked 911 dispatchers, police officers, firefighters, and assisting agencies for their swift response.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Salt Lake City office said it is aware of the incident and is offering assistance to local authorities as the investigation continues.
Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee also responded publicly, asking his followers on X to join him in prayer.
“Please join me in praying for the victims of such senseless violence and all the families of this church,” Lee wrote.
The shooting comes months after a separate, targeted attack in September at a Latter-day Saints church in Michigan that involved gunfire and a fire, leaving casualties and multiple people injured. While authorities have not linked the two incidents, the violence has renewed concern over safety at places of worship.
As the investigation continues, police urged anyone with information to come forward, stressing that accountability for the attack remains their top priority.
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