SALT LAKE CITY — A funeral gathering turned into a scene of violence Wednesday evening after a shooting outside a church left two people dead and six others wounded, according to the Salt Lake City Police Department.
Police said the shooting occurred shortly after 7:30 p.m. at a chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Redwood Road. Officers were called to the scene while a funeral service was underway, where an altercation reportedly broke out in the parking lot before gunfire erupted.
Of the six people injured, authorities said three are in critical condition, while the remaining three were transported to hospitals with injuries of unknown severity. No suspects were in custody as of Wednesday night, and police said an active manhunt is ongoing. Investigators are still working to determine whether the shooting involved one suspect or multiple individuals.
Public information officer Glen Mills described the incident as fluid and urged patience as detectives piece together what happened. “This is an active and developing investigation,” Mills said, asking anyone with information to come forward.
The shooting has shaken residents across Salt Lake City, particularly because it unfolded during a moment intended for mourning and remembrance. Community leaders note that violence at funerals—though rare—can intensify trauma for families already grieving, underscoring broader concerns about gun violence intruding into public and sacred spaces.
Police said additional details will be released as they become available. Authorities continue to ask witnesses or anyone with video from the area to contact investigators as the search for those responsible continues.
