Two people were killed, and six others were wounded when gunfire erupted in the parking lot of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse in Salt Lake City on January 7, 2026, according to police.
The shooting occurred at the Rose Park 5th Ward meetinghouse at 660 N. Redwood Road, located four miles west of Temple Square in the Rose Park neighborhood. Police responded to the scene shortly after 7:30 p.m. following reports of shots being fired outside the building where a memorial service was taking place inside the chapel.
Salt Lake City Police Department spokesman Glen Mills confirmed eight victims, with two dead. Of the six wounded, three were in critical condition and three others were in unknown condition. All of the victims are adults, according to authorities. One of the six wounded has since been released from the hospital.
The incident began when a fight broke out in the parking lot during the funeral service. An exchange of gunfire followed, with shots fired outside the building. Some victims were taken by private vehicle to medical facilities before police arrived on the scene.
The two deceased victims were identified as 38-year-old Sione Vatuvei and 46-year-old Vaea Tulikihihifo. Police confirmed the shooters fled the scene immediately after the attack, with the suspect vehicle last seen heading north on Redwood Road.
Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd told reporters that investigators believe that there could be more than one shooter. No suspect was in custody as of January 8, 2026, and an active manhunt remained underway. Two people were detained for questioning in connection with the investigation, but neither had been identified as suspects.
Chief Redd emphasized that authorities do not believe the shooting was a targeted attack on religion or that it was random. However, he noted the incident may be tied to gang activity, and the department’s Polynesian gang unit was deployed to the crime scene to assist with the investigation.
The meetinghouse serves two congregations, including the Rose Park 5th Ward and Riverside 2nd Ward, both of which are Tongan wards with worshipers from the South Pacific Island of Tonga. About 200 attendees were inside the building at the time of the shooting.
Police reported that some victims have been less than cooperative with investigators.
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall stood alongside Chief Redd during a news conference and offered condolences to the families and victims. “This should never have happened; it should never have happened outside a place of worship; it should never have happened at a celebration of life that was happening in the church tonight,” Mendenhall said.
The mayor promised that law enforcement would pursue those responsible regardless of where they fled. Chief Redd echoed this commitment, vowing that investigators would follow suspects wherever they go and bring them to justice.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a statement acknowledging awareness of the serious incident that occurred outside the meetinghouse during the memorial service. Church spokesman Sam Penrod said the organization is cooperating with law enforcement and expressed gratitude for the efforts of first responders.
“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 church statement said.
Witnesses at the scene described hearing multiple gunshots from inside the chapel during the service. Dom Fiefia, who was attending the funeral with his wife, said the shots were fired outside the meetinghouse but could be heard clearly inside. He and his wife were among those kept inside the building while police established a security perimeter around the area.
Residents in the Rose Park community expressed shock and concern about the violence occurring at a place of worship. Several neighbors reported hearing gunshots followed by screaming and crying from the area of the church parking lot.
Police continue to urge anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Salt Lake City Police Department. Investigators emphasized they are following all leads and working around the clock to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Chief Redd indicated that police have obtained solid leads from witnesses and community members, but stressed the need for additional information from the public to help solve the case.
