SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A tragic episode unfolded on Wednesday outside a church in Salt Lake City when a shooting during a funeral left two people dead and six others injured, leading authorities to suspect it stemmed from a dispute among individuals attending the service.
No suspects have been apprehended, and police are wrestling with a lack of cooperation from witnesses. As of Thursday, five victims remained hospitalized, with some in critical condition, prompting police to provide protection at medical facilities.
“We are looking into the reason and cause for the gunfire,” said Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd during a press conference.
Among the deceased was 46-year-old Vaea Tulikaninifo, while police believe the shooting was not random and showed no clear motive tied to the church community.
The targeted church, largely serving Tongan worshippers, was conducting normal services at the time of the shooting. Upon hearing gunfire, residents of neighboring low-income housing rushed to assist the injured and comfort the distraught attendees who had been mourning the loss of the deceased.
The heartbreaking scene prompted rapid police response, with roughly 100 law enforcement vehicles deployed to the area, and marked helicopters circling overhead. Community members gathered nearby, anxiously awaiting updates as police scanned nearby surveillance footage for leads.
“This should never have happened outside a place of worship. This should never have happened outside a celebration of life,” remarked Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, expressing her outrage over the violence that marred the sacred occasion.
The church, which has a significant membership in Utah, acknowledged the incident with a statement of gratitude towards first responders and offered prayers for the affected individuals. The faith community has felt on edge following a similar shooting tragedy in Michigan last September, which reaffirmed the need for vigilance regarding safety in places of worship.
