A tragic shooting outside a Mormon church in Utah resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to six others on Wednesday night.
The violent incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. in the parking area of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse located on Redwood Road in Salt Lake City.
As reported by ABC4, the shooting erupted during a funeral viewing being held at the church.
Glen Mills, a spokesperson for the Salt Lake City Police Department, stated that authorities are actively searching for those responsible. The department’s Gang Violence Unit has been involved in the investigation.
Details about the suspects or their getaway vehicle have not yet been disclosed by the police.
“I was inside at the funeral viewing, then I walked outside and all my cousins were on the floor after getting shot,” a family member, who chose to remain anonymous, recounted to ABC4.
‘Tonight was a funeral viewing for one of my cousins who died just a few days ago – but I guess there’s going to be a few more funerals now,’ he added.
Another family member also appeared devastated as they tried to understand what had happened.
Friends and family hugged one another after a fatal shooting in a parking lot of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Wednesday night
Police are seen responding to the fatal shooting in the parking lot of the church
Officers are seen on the scene behind a security cordon at the church
‘It’s cruel. It’s a cruel world, especially at a funeral. It’s not right. It’s not fair,’ an unidentified family member told ABC4.
‘I was in the bathroom of the church when all of a sudden I heard screaming. [After hearing the gunshots] I looked for my dad and my mom. Everything was just everywhere all at once,’ the woman said through tears.
‘The situation still is very fluid,’ police spokesperson, Mills, said adding there were at least eight victims, including two who tragically died.
Three more remain in critical condition, while the conditions of at least three others is currently unknown.
‘We don’t believe this was a targeted attack based on religion but we also don’t believe that it was random,’ Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd during a late night press conference,
Chief Redd confirmed detectives specializing in gang violence were on scene.
The city’s mayor was also at the scene and vowed to work to catch those responsible.
‘We are not going to rest until those responsible are brought to justice. We will find them. They will be brought to justice,’ Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said.
Video from the scene showed a large number of emergency response vehicles with flashing lights.
People attending a funeral at the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City leave after a fatal shooting in the parking lot
The horrific act of violence took place in the parking lot of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse on Redwood Road in Salt Lake City about 7.30pm
One family member explained how a funeral viewing had been taking place for their cousin
A second family member broke down in tears while speaking to reporters on scene
A hearse could be seen on site following the killing of two people in the church parking lot
The area the site of shooting was blocked off by police
Law enforcement were seen on site until late into the night as they worked the investigation
The incident occurred at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 660 North Redwood Road in Salt Lake City, Utah
Police said the situation was also complicated by the fact that several victims were taken to hospital in a private vehicle.
‘We are aware of a serious incident that occurred outside a Church meetinghouse at 660 North Redwood Road in Salt Lake City tonight as a memorial service was being held in the chapel. The Church is cooperating with law enforcement and is grateful for the efforts of first responders,’ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said in a statement.
‘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.’
The surrounding area is expected to remain closed until at least 1am local time with local residents being prevented from returning to their homes until police deem the area safe.
