> At a Glance
> – Two killed, six injured in Wednesday night shooting outside Salt Lake City church
> – Attack occurred during memorial service inside Tongan Latter-day Saints ward
> – No suspect in custody; police say incident was not random but not faith-targeted
> – Why it matters: Violence shatters sanctuary of worship, highlighting rising public safety concerns
Gunfire shattered a sacred space Wednesday night as mourners gathered inside a northwest Salt Lake City church, leaving two dead and six wounded in a parking lot that moments earlier had been filled with quiet reflection.
The Attack
Witnesses told police the shooting erupted just after 8 p.m. in the back lot of the red-brick meetinghouse that serves Tongan-speaking Latter-day Saints. Inside, roughly 200 people were honoring a recently deceased community member.
- Three victims remain in critical condition
- All eight victims are adults
- No children were physically harmed
Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd emphasized:
> “We don’t believe this was a targeted attack against a religion or anything like that.”
Investigators also ruled out a random act, suggesting the gunman knew someone in the lot.
Community Reaction
Neighbors from the low-income housing complex next door streamed outside after hearing multiple shots.
Resident Brennan McIntire recalled:
> “As soon as I came over, I see someone on the ground… People are attending to him and crying and arguing.”
His wife Kenna McIntire, accustomed to nightly gunfire, said this hit different:
> “It was really heartbreaking to hear and see.”
| Casualty Status | Count |
|---|---|
| Deceased | 2 |
| Critical | 3 |
| Stable | 3 |
Roughly 100 law-enforcement vehicles converged on the scene. Officers canvassed area businesses for surveillance footage and license-plate data.
Official Statements
Mayor Erin Mendenhall condemned the violence:
> “This should never have happened outside a place of worship. This should never have happened outside a celebration of life.”
A church spokesperson responded:
> “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.”
Key Takeaways
- Police are treating the shooting as personal, not faith-based
- The Tongan ward has served the area for decades
- The FBI previously warned houses of worship to stay alert after a deadly Michigan attack on Latter-day Saints last month
- Anyone with information is urged to contact Salt Lake City Police
As helicopters circled overhead and mourners clutched blankets nearby, investigators worked through the night searching for a suspect who turned a sanctuary into a crime scene.
