Two people are reported dead after a shooting at a Salt Lake City meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 7.
Three people are in critical condition and three other victims are in unknown condition, as they were taken to medical facilities by private parties, according to Salt Lake City police spokesperson Glen Mills.
Salt Lake City police chief Brian Redd said all of the victims are adults. He added that police do not believe this was a random incident, and that the suspect is still at large.
“We don’t believe this was a targeted attack against a religion,” Redd said.
Mills said police were called shortly after 7:30 p.m. with reports of a shooting at the meetinghouse.
The incident occurred in the parking lot of the meetinghouse at 660 N. Redwood Road, 4 miles west of Temple Square. A funeral was taking place inside the church, police said.
The Church issued a statement on the meetinghouse shooting later Wednesday evening.
“We are aware of a serious incident that occurred outside a Church meetinghouse at 660 N. Redwood Rd. 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,” said Church spokesman Sam Penrod.
He added that until more information is available, the Church was directing all questions about this incident 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,” Penrod said.
Redd said they have detained several people in relation to the case, but none are suspects at this time.
A suspect vehicle was caught on camera, and police say they have multiple leads about suspects, and that the public continues to provide additional leads.
As of late Wednesday, police were still unsure if there was more than one shooter.
Dozens of emergency vehicles remained late into the night at the scene, with units responding from multiple agencies, Mills said.
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall spoke to the press Wednesday night outside the church.
“Condolences to the families and the victims,” she said. “This should never have happened. This should never have happened outside a place of worship. It should not have happened at a celebration of life that was occurring inside of the church.”
This story will continue to be updated.
