A shooting outside a Latter-day Saint church in Salt Lake City during a memorial service has left two people dead and six others injured, with police indicating the violence stemmed from a dispute between individuals attending the service.
The incident occurred Wednesday night around 7:30 p.m. at the Rose Park 5th Ward meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 660 N. Redwood Road. Gunfire erupted in the parking lot while mourners were gathered inside for a memorial service.
The victims who died have been identified as 38-year-old Sione Vatuvei and 46-year-old Vaea Tulikihihifo. According to his wife Nani Tulikihihifo, Vaea had stepped outside during the service to retrieve baby formula from their minivan for their fussy infant son. He never returned.
'We don't believe this was a targeted attack against a religion,' Salt Lake City Police Chief Redd stated at a Thursday press conference. The department's gang unit was deployed to the scene, and investigators have found indications that some individuals present were 'potentially involved in gang activity.'
The church building serves both the Rose Park 5th Ward and the Riverside 2nd Ward, both identified as Tongan congregations. The tight-knit Tongan community in Salt Lake City has been left reeling from the tragedy.
The lay bishop of the ward reported he had been unable to sleep after witnessing the aftermath of the shooting. Six other individuals were wounded and transported to local hospitals for treatment.
As of Thursday afternoon, police had not made any arrests or announced any suspects in the shooting. Chief Redd pledged: 'Our officers will not rest until we bring them to justice.'
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a statement expressing sorrow over the incident and offering prayers for the victims, their families, and the congregation.
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