Two people were killed, and six others were injured in a shooting outside a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Wednesday night. The shooting reportedly happened after a fight broke out in the parking lot.
All the victims were outside of the church and attending a funeral, according to local law enforcement authorities. Currently, investigators do not believe the shooting was a targeted attack “against the faith,” reported The Salt Lake Tribune.
The church released a statement about the incident on Wednesday night.
“The Church is cooperating with law enforcement and is grateful for the efforts of first responders,” read a statement released by the church. “Until more information is available, all questions about this incident are being directed to the Salt Lake City Police Department. 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.”
Police have detained several people for questioning, but do not have a suspect in custody. Officers were reportedly reviewing security camera footage in the area in hopes of identifying a suspect.
Two witnesses to the shooting spoke to ABC4 about the incident. They provided footage from their doorbell camera to the authorities.
“We were just enjoying a nice evening together, watching TV, and all of a sudden you hear multiple shots ring out, and it’s all after the holidays, you think those were fireworks, but no, they were actual gunshots,” said Brennan, one of the witnesses. “We jumped off the couch pretty quickly and ran over to see what was going on and do whatever I could do [sic] observe and be there.”
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall spoke about the shooting during a news conference. She said such a thing should never have occurred at a religious institution.
“This should never have happened outside a place of worship,” said Mendenhall. “This should never have happened at a celebration of life.”
Mendenhall also pledged that law enforcement would not “rest until the individuals responsible are brought to justice.”
“Full stop,” she said. “No matter where they go, we will find them.”
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) called the event “senseless violence.” He released a statement on Wednesday night about the shooting.
“Join me in praying for the victims of such senseless violence and all the families of this church,” Lee said in a social media post on X. “Please contact local law enforcement if you have any information about the perpetrators.”
