Two people were killed and at least six others wounded Wednesday evening after gunfire erupted outside a funeral at a Latter-Day Saint meetinghouse in Salt Lake City, authorities said, in an attack that has shaken the local community and prompted a large-scale manhunt.
The shooting occurred shortly after 7:30 p.m. outside a chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on North Redwood Road, where a memorial service was underway. According to police, an altercation broke out in the parking lot during the funeral, escalating rapidly into gunfire.
Salt Lake City Police Department spokesperson Glen Mills said two adults were pronounced dead at the scene. Of the six people injured, three were listed in critical condition, while the conditions of the remaining three were initially unclear after they were transported to hospitals in private vehicles. All of the victims were adults, and all were shot outside the church building.
Brian Redd, the city’s police chief, said investigators were still working to determine whether one or multiple shooters were involved. As of late Wednesday night, no suspects were in custody. Police believe the suspect or suspects fled north along Redwood Road immediately after the shooting.
Redd emphasized that authorities do not believe the attack was directed at the LDS faith itself, nor was it a random act of violence. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses and license plate reader data from surrounding streets are being reviewed, and multiple witnesses were detained for questioning before being released.
