A quiet evening of mourning turned into chaos and tragedy Wednesday night when gunfire erupted outside a church in Salt Lake City, killing two people and injuring six others as mourners gathered inside for a memorial service, according to police.
The shooting occurred in the rear parking lot of a meetinghouse belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Utah-based faith commonly known as the Mormon church. At the time of the attack, dozens of people were attending a celebration of life inside the building for an individual whose identity has not been publicly released.
Authorities said all eight victims were adults. Three of the injured were listed in critical condition late Wednesday, while others sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries. No suspect had been taken into custody as of Wednesday night, and police were continuing an extensive search.
Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd said investigators do not believe the shooting was motivated by religious hatred, nor do they think it was a random act of violence.
“We don’t believe this was a targeted attack against a religion or anything like that,” Redd said during a late-night briefing. “But we also don’t believe it was random. There is more to this incident, and we are working to determine exactly what happened.”
Scene of Sudden Violence
The church, a red brick building located in a northwest Salt Lake City neighborhood, primarily serves Tongan congregants and regularly holds services in the Tongan language. On Wednesday evening, the space was filled with family, friends, and community members who had gathered to honor a life lost — only to witness another devastating loss unfold outside.
Police said gunshots were fired in the parking lot behind the church, sending panic through the area. Witnesses described people screaming, running, and rushing to help those who had been struck before emergency crews arrived.
Residents from a nearby low-income housing complex adjacent to the church said they poured outside after hearing the shots, offering assistance to victims and attempting to comfort grieving mourners.
“There were people crying, yelling, trying to help,” one resident said. “Nobody really knew what was going on at first.”
Neighbors Describe Chaos
Brennan McIntire, who lives next door to the church, said he and his wife were at home watching television when they heard multiple loud gunshots.
“I jumped off the couch and ran outside in flip-flops,” McIntire said. “As soon as I came around the corner, I saw someone lying on the ground. People were crying and arguing, trying to help.”
His wife, Kenna McIntire, followed moments later and was shaken by what she saw.
“I saw first responders lifting an unconscious woman into an ambulance, and people were just huddled together, sobbing,” she said.
The couple said that while gunfire is not uncommon in their neighborhood, they had never experienced anything like this so close to home.
“We hear gunshots sometimes, but never right outside our door,” Kenna McIntire said. “This was different. It was really heartbreaking to see.”
Massive Police Response
Within minutes, law enforcement flooded the area. Roughly 100 police vehicles from multiple agencies were visible in the neighborhood, their lights illuminating the streets as officers secured the scene. Helicopters circled overhead as investigators searched for clues and worked to determine whether the suspect remained nearby.
Neighbors gathered in small groups, some wrapped in blankets against the cold, standing near a nearby taco truck and watching the unfolding response while waiting for information about loved ones.
Police confirmed they were reviewing footage from license plate readers, church cameras, and nearby businesses in an effort to identify the shooter and track their movements before and after the attack.
Authorities did not release a description of the suspect or indicate whether they believe more than one person was involved.
City Leaders React
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall condemned the violence and expressed sympathy for the victims and their families.
“This should never have happened outside a place of worship,” Mendenhall said. “This should never have happened outside a celebration of life.”
She praised first responders for their rapid response and said the city would provide support to those affected by the tragedy.
Chief Redd echoed those sentiments, saying the attack has deeply shaken the community.
“When violence intrudes into moments of mourning and sacred gathering, it impacts all of us,” he said.
Church Responds
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose global headquarters are located in Salt Lake City, said it was fully cooperating with law enforcement.
In a statement, church spokesperson Sam Penrod expressed gratitude for emergency responders and concern over the violence.
“We extend prayers for all who have been impacted by this tragedy,” Penrod said. “We express deep concern that any sacred space intended for worship should be subjected to violence of any kind.”
The church said local leaders were working to support families, congregants, and community members affected by the shooting.
Heightened Sensitivity After Recent Attacks
The shooting comes amid heightened concern over violence at religious institutions nationwide. Just last month, four people were killed when a former Marine opened fire inside a church in Michigan before setting the building ablaze. Federal investigators later said the attacker was motivated by anti-religious beliefs targeting Latter-day Saints.
While Salt Lake City police emphasized there is no evidence linking Wednesday’s attack to religious extremism, the recent history has left many faith communities on edge.
About half of Utah’s 3.5 million residents are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Church meetinghouses are common throughout the state, often located in residential neighborhoods like the one where Wednesday’s shooting occurred.
Investigation Ongoing
As of late Wednesday, police said the investigation remains active and fluid. Detectives are interviewing witnesses, canvassing the area, and urging anyone with information or video footage to come forward.
Authorities declined to speculate on a motive or relationship between the shooter and the victims, saying premature conclusions could hinder the investigation.
“We’re asking for patience as we work through the facts,” Chief Redd said. “Our focus right now is finding the person responsible and supporting the victims.”
For a city accustomed to seeing churches as places of refuge and community, the shooting has left residents grappling with grief, fear, and unanswered questions.
“This was supposed to be a night of remembrance,” one neighbor said quietly. “Instead, it turned into a nightmare.”
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
