Two individuals have lost their lives and several others have sustained injuries following a mass shooting outside a Mormon church in Salt Lake City, United States. The incident occurred in the vicinity of a funeral, and law enforcement is actively pursuing the perpetrator who remains at large.
Law enforcement responded to the shooting shortly after 7:30 p.m local time at a Latter Day Saints chapel situated on Redwood Road. As of now, six individuals have been reported injured in the tragic event.
A significant police presence has been observed outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with numerous police cars lining the street and officers securing the area.
The headquarters of the church is in Salt Lake City, and approximately half of Utah’s 3.5 million residents are affiliated with the faith. Similar churches, like the one where the shooting occurred, are scattered throughout the city and state.
The faith community has been on high alert since a prior incident where four individuals were killed by a former Marine in a Michigan church, who then set the premises on fire due to “anti-religious beliefs” against the church, as per FBI findings.
Authorities have stated that the shooting does not appear to be targeted towards any specific religious group. Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd emphasized that the incident does not seem to be motivated by animosity towards any particular faith.
The police also ruled out the possibility of the shooting being random and confirmed that no suspect is currently in custody. Around 100 law enforcement vehicles were present at the scene, with helicopters providing aerial support.
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall expressed dismay over the incident occurring outside a place of worship and during a memorial service, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
In response to the incident, The Church of Latter-day Saints issued a statement on social media, expressing cooperation with law enforcement and extending prayers to those affected by the tragedy.
A spokesperson for the Salt Lake City Police provided details of the shooting, mentioning the number of casualties and injuries, and urged anyone with information to contact the authorities.
The shooting transpired in the parking lot of a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, during a funeral service as reported by The Deseret News.
Reports indicated that the suspect remains at large, according to KUTV. Video footage from the scene depicted a significant presence of emergency response vehicles with flashing lights.
FBI Salt Lake City acknowledged the incident and offered support to local law enforcement agencies. As per reports, three of the injured victims are in critical condition, while the status of the remaining individuals is currently unknown.
The shooting occurred near a Latter-day Saints Church at 650 North Redwood Road in Salt Lake City, Utah.