On the evening of January 7, 2026, a funeral at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse in Salt Lake City’s Rose Park neighborhood was shattered by gunfire, leaving two people dead and six others injured. The violence, which unfolded just after 7:30 p.m. in the church parking lot at 660 North Redwood Road, has left the local community reeling and authorities scrambling for answers.
According to Salt Lake City Police Department spokesperson Glen Mills, the shooting erupted following a heated altercation during the funeral. Mills told reporters, “We know there are at least eight victims. Two of them have died, three of them are in critical condition, and three others are in unknown condition.” Police later confirmed that all the victims were adults, a detail reiterated by Police Chief Brian Redd during a late-night press conference.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic and heartbreaking scene. Neighbors Brennan and Kenna McIntire, who live in an apartment complex next to the church, recounted hearing several loud gunshots while watching television. Brennan rushed outside in his flip-flops, only to see someone lying on the ground while people cried and argued nearby. “It was really heartbreaking to hear and see,” Kenna said, still shaken by the memory of first responders lifting an unconscious woman into an ambulance as others sobbed around her.
Inside the church, the impact of the gunfire was immediate and terrifying. Dom Fiefia, who attended the funeral with his wife, said, “The shots were fired outside of the meetinghouse, but you could definitely hear them inside. It was pretty loud, especially inside; all you could hear was quietness. And with those shots, definitely it kind of shook the whole place up.” Fiefia and his wife, along with as many as 200 other attendees, were kept inside the building while police established a perimeter and began their investigation.
Salt Lake City police arrived swiftly, but the suspect or suspects had already fled the scene. The vehicle, described only as a gray or silver car, was last seen heading north on Redwood Road. Mills noted that the search area was focused between 500 North and 700 North on Redwood Road, extending toward the Jordan River. Despite the urgency, police admitted that they did not have a detailed description of the vehicle or a clear count of the suspects involved. Chief Redd explained, “The situation still is very fluid. Police are still investigating whether the suspect or suspects were attending the funeral.”
Some victims were rushed to local hospitals by private vehicles before emergency responders could arrive, further complicating the initial response. Mills urged the public for help, saying, “If anyone saw anything, if anyone has any video, if anyone has any information, we do want to hear from them.” Residents responded, calling in what Mills described as “good, solid” leads.
As the investigation unfolded, about 100 law enforcement vehicles and several helicopters converged on the area. Police reviewed surveillance footage and license plate reader data from nearby businesses, hoping for a breakthrough. Two people were briefly detained for questioning, with one seen being led from the meetinghouse in handcuffs just before 10 p.m., but no arrests were confirmed by authorities.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear. While the police gang unit was present at the scene, authorities have not confirmed whether the incident was gang-related. However, Chief Redd was quick to dispel any notion that the attack was motivated by religious animus or was entirely random. “We don’t believe this was a targeted attack against a religion or anything like that,” Redd stated, emphasizing that the violence seemed to stem from a personal dispute rather than broader ideological motives.
The church at the center of the tragedy primarily serves Tongan congregants and is a familiar landmark in northwest Salt Lake City. Its website notes that regular worship services are held in the Tongan language. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, headquartered in Salt Lake City, issued a statement expressing solidarity with the victims and gratitude for law enforcement’s efforts: “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.”
Local leaders and public officials were quick to respond to the incident. Mayor Erin Mendenhall, standing alongside Chief Redd, condemned the violence in the strongest terms. “This should never have happened outside a place of worship. This should never have happened outside a celebration of life,” she said, promising that law enforcement would not rest until those responsible were found. “Full stop. No matter where they go. We will find them. They will be brought to justice.”
Utah Senator Mike Lee also weighed in, posting on social media, “Join me in praying for the victims of such senseless violence and all the families of this church. Please contact local law enforcement if you have any information about the perpetrators.” The Salt Lake City Council echoed these sentiments, offering condolences to the Rose Park community and encouraging residents to follow official sources for updates.
The shooting has left an indelible mark on the Rose Park neighborhood, a diverse community accustomed to the challenges of urban life but shaken by the proximity and brutality of this tragedy. Abigail Merworth, who lives across the street from the church, described the aftermath as a “zombie feeling; like you feel like in a zombie apocalypse.” Another resident, Lakhvir Singh, expressed a grim resignation: “It’s like, when you live in the world where crime and things like this happen on a daily concurrence; (it’s) almost like it’s unfortunate but it’s like, just not overly surprising.”
For many, the incident has heightened concerns about safety and community well-being. Lindsey Muster, a mother of two, said, “It makes me concerned just because I have two kids that I’m raising, and I know (that) not just me, but other parents in the neighborhood would probably all be worried too. You know, because it’s a huge impact on not just myself but my kids’ lives.”
As of Thursday afternoon, the suspect or suspects remained at large, and the police investigation was ongoing. Redwood Road was expected to remain closed for several hours as authorities continued to process the scene and gather evidence. The FBI’s Salt Lake field office has offered assistance, and the entire Salt Lake City community is watching closely, hoping for justice and healing in the wake of a night that should have been about remembrance, not tragedy.
The violence outside the Salt Lake City church has left a city searching for answers and determined to reclaim its sense of safety, even as the echoes of gunfire linger in the hearts of those who gathered to mourn—and now must grieve anew.
