At least two people were killed and six others injured in a shooting outside a church in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Wednesday, authorities confirmed.
The incident occurred at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church, during a funeral service. Police say the shooting appears to have stemmed from a fracas outside the building, and while it was not random, investigators believe it was not targeted at the religious congregation.
“Out in the parking lot, there was some sort of altercation that took place, and that’s when shots were fired,” said Glen Mills, a spokesperson for the church.
Authorities have launched a manhunt for the suspect, but no arrests have been made. In response to the attack, roughly 100 law enforcement vehicles arrived on the scene, with helicopters circling overhead as officers secured the area.
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall expressed her concern over the tragedy, emphasizing the sanctity of places of worship. “This should never have happened outside a place of worship or during a celebration of life,” she said.
The shooting comes amid heightened tensions in the United States, following the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman, Renee Nicole, by a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis. That incident, which sparked protests against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, is under scrutiny after videos appeared to show the woman attempting to veer away from the officer before she was shot.
ICE officials maintain the officer acted in self-defence, claiming the woman tried to use her vehicle against them. However, Minnesota authorities dispute this account, noting that the threat to officers was unclear.
The Salt Lake City shooting highlights ongoing concerns about public safety and violence in the United States, especially at sensitive events and community gatherings.
