On the evening of January 7, 2026, the quiet routine of a Salt Lake City neighborhood was shattered when gunfire erupted outside a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse on Redwood Road. The violence unfolded just after 7:30 p.m., as mourners gathered inside the chapel for a funeral, turning a space meant for solace into the scene of a tragic and chaotic crime.
According to Salt Lake City Police Department spokesperson Glen Mills, the shooting left two adults dead and six others wounded. Of the surviving victims, three were in critical condition while three more were rushed to hospitals in unknown condition, some by private vehicles before emergency responders could arrive. The victims, all adults, had attended the memorial service or were present in the parking lot when the altercation—and then the shooting—broke out. As Mills told reporters, “The situation still is very fluid. At this point, we know that there are at least eight victims, I can confirm that two of them have died; three of them are in critical condition, and three others in unknown condition.”
Police responded swiftly to calls of shots fired at the meetinghouse, located at 660 N. Redwood Road. When they arrived, the suspects had already fled. Witnesses described the terror of hearing gunshots ring out during what should have been a peaceful gathering. Dom Fiefia, who was attending the funeral with his wife, recounted to KSL, “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.”
Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd emphasized that law enforcement did not believe the incident was a random act, nor did they think it was a targeted attack against the faith. “We don’t believe this was a targeted attack against a religion,” Redd said, according to Deseret News. “Our officers will not rest until we bring them to justice.” The shooter or shooters remained at large as of late Wednesday night, with an active manhunt underway. Police were still working to determine whether there was a single suspect or multiple individuals involved. Surveillance video from nearby businesses and license plate readers on Redwood Road and 700 North were being reviewed for leads, and a suspect vehicle was reportedly seen fleeing north from the scene.
The aftermath of the shooting saw a heavy law enforcement presence, with dozens of emergency vehicles from multiple agencies converging on the area. Redwood Road was closed between 500 North and 700 North, with transportation officials expecting the closure to last until about 1 a.m. on January 8. The search perimeter extended to the Jordan River, as officers combed the area for any trace of the suspects. The FBI’s Salt Lake City office also offered its assistance, stating, “We are aware of the incident in Salt Lake City and offering assistance to our law enforcement partners.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints responded swiftly to the tragedy. Sam Penrod, a church spokesperson, released a statement expressing the institution’s sorrow and support for the victims. “We are aware of a serious incident that occurred outside a church meetinghouse at 660 North Redwood Road in Salt Lake City tonight as a memorial service was being held in the chapel. The church is cooperating with law enforcement and is grateful for the efforts of first responders,” Penrod said. “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 impact of the shooting rippled through Salt Lake City’s Pacific Islander community, particularly among the Tongan congregations that worship at the meetinghouse. Susi Feltch-Malohifo’ou, CEO of Pacific Island Knowledge 2 Action Resources (PIK2AR), told The Salt Lake Tribune that her phone was flooded with messages as news of the shooting spread. “Condolences to the family. This is a tragedy in our community,” she said, noting that she knew several of the individuals who had been shot. Feltch-Malohifo’ou’s nonprofit has long focused on violence prevention, including efforts to address gang activity within Utah’s Polynesian communities. “As much as we’ve been working on violence prevention, we can see that there’s still a lot of work to be done in this area,” she reflected. “Violence is never the answer.”
Residents living near the church described the fear and disbelief that gripped the neighborhood. “It’s so crazy. I’ve lived here all my life and I knew this area was riddled with crime growing up. For it to happen so close now to where I live and where me and my wife is, it’s terrifying,” said Brennan, a local who heard the gunshots and the ensuing cries and screams. “And sad to see that when families all get together for a funeral service that things can still go in that direction.”
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall was among those who addressed the public in the wake of the shooting. Standing outside the church on Wednesday night, she offered condolences and voiced her outrage. “Condolences to the families and the victims,” she said. “This should never have happened. This should never have happened outside a place of worship. It should not have happened at a celebration of life that was occurring inside of the church.”
As police continued their investigation, they confirmed that several individuals had been detained for questioning, but none were considered suspects at that time. The public continued to provide leads, and the police remained hopeful that those responsible would be brought to justice. Chief Redd assured the community that every effort was being made to solve the case, stating, “Our officers will not rest until we bring them to justice.”
Utah is home to a significant Pacific Islander population, with Tongans comprising the largest share of this community. According to 2020 U.S. Census data, Pacific Islanders make up 1.6% of Utah’s population, and 2.4% of Salt Lake County’s residents. The violence at the Latter-day Saint meetinghouse has left many in these close-knit communities reeling, grappling with grief and searching for answers.
For now, the investigation presses on. Law enforcement continues to follow up on leads, reviewing surveillance footage and coordinating with federal agencies. The community, meanwhile, mourns the loss of life and the violation of a sacred space, determined to support one another and to ensure that such violence does not define their future.
