- By Ajeet Kumar
- Thu, 08 Jan 2026 10:10 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
A shooting in Salt Lake City, Utah, at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints venue left two people dead and several wounded, local police told an ABC News affiliate late on Wednesday.
There were at least eight victims, two of whom died as a result of their injuries, Salt Lake City Police Department was cited as saying by the media outlet. There was at least one suspect who fled the scene, the report added.
"There was a funeral taking place at the church," Glen Mills, the spokesperson, told reporters. "Out in the parking lot, there was some sort of altercation took and that's when shots were fired." From at least eight victims, two died of their injuries, the police said, while three of the survivors were critical and the medical condition of the rest was not known.
Shooter had not any animus toward a particular faith: Police
Police have launched a manhunt for the suspects, they added, while the FBI said it was offering assistance. Police said they do not believe the shooter had any animus toward a particular faith.
“We don't believe this was a targeted attack against a religion or anything like that,” Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd said. Police also do not believe the shooting was random. Authorities said no suspect was in custody.
About Utah church
The church is headquartered in Salt Lake City, and about half of Utah's 3.5 million residents are members of the faith. Churches like the one where the shooting occurred can be found in towns throughout the city and state.
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The faith has been on heightened alert since four people were killed when a former Marine opened fire in a Michigan church last month and set it ablaze. The FBI found that he was motivated by “anti-religious beliefs” against the church.
(With inputs from agencies)