A deadly shooting outside a Mormon church in Utah has left a community in shock, with two people killed and at least six others wounded. The violent incident unfolded on Wednesday evening in the car park of a religious meetinghouse in Salt Lake City.
Chaos in a Church Car Park
The Salt Lake City shooting occurred at approximately 7:30pm local time on Redwood Road. The location was a meetinghouse for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. According to local reports, a funeral was being held at the church when a dispute erupted, leading to gunfire.
Police spokesperson Glen Mills confirmed the tragic toll, stating there were eight victims in total. Of these, two individuals lost their lives at the scene. Three victims are in a critical condition in hospital, while the status of the remaining three is currently unknown.
Large-Scale Police Response and Manhunt
The emergency response was significant, with at least 18 police units rushing to the scene. Authorities confirmed that at least one suspect fled the area, prompting an active manhunt to find the shooter or shooters involved.
"The situation still is very fluid," Mills told reporters, emphasising the ongoing nature of the investigation. The scene was further complicated as several of the wounded were transported to hospital by private vehicle before emergency services arrived.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Impact
The surrounding area remained sealed off by police until at least 1am local time as forensic teams worked to gather evidence. The Utah violence has sent ripples through the local community, which is now grappling with the aftermath of an attack on a place of worship.
As the investigation continues, Salt Lake City Police are urging anyone with information to come forward. The motive behind the altercation and shooting is not yet clear, and authorities are working to piece together the events that led to this tragic loss of life.
