Some began returning to the meetinghouse early Thursday.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Police at the site of a shooting at a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Jordan Meadows neighborhood of Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.
Two people were killed and six were wounded Wednesday night when gunfire erupted outside a Latter-day Saint chapel in Salt Lake City.
Police were called at about 7:30 p.m. to the Rose Park 5th Ward meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 660 N. Redwood Road. The Riverside 2nd Ward also worships at the building. The church identifies both at Tongan wards, or congregations.
The shooting, which initially came in as an active shooter call, drew a major police response. Authorities have said they believe the shooting, which occurred during a memorial service, was not a targeted attack on a faith and was also not random.
Here’s what we know the morning after:
Arrests
Police had not announced any arrests of the shooter or shooters as of early Thursday.
On Wednesday night, the Salt Lake City Police Department said it had obtained “solid leads” and that investigators were checking nearby surveillance video and license plate readers.
Victims
Police have identified the two men who died as 38-year-old Sione Vatuvei and 46-year-old Vaea Tulikihihifo.
Authorities have not provided an update on the surviving victims as of early Thursday.
On Wednesday night, a police spokesperson said three were in critical condition, while the condition of the remaining three was unknown because they were taken to hospitals in private vehicles.
The church
Police had removed crime scene tape and left the church by about 7:30 a.m. Thursday. Not long after, people began returning to the parking lot to get their cars. The Riverside 2nd Ward’s bishop was on scene.
Road closures
Redwood Road is reopened to traffic.
— Tribune reporters Brock Marchant and Tony Semerad contributed to this story. This is a developing story that will be updated.