Two killed in shooting at Mormon church in Utah

Two people were killed and six others were injured in a shooting outside a church building in Salt Lake City.

The shooting took place Wednesday in the parking lot of the meetinghouse of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, better known as the Mormon church.

At that time, dozens of people were attending the funeral ceremony inside.

All of the victims were adults.

Police said they did not believe the attacker had any hostility towards any particular faith.

“We don’t believe this was a targeted attack on a religion or anything like that,” Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd said.

Police also do not believe the attack was random.

Authorities said no suspects were in custody.

After the incident, approximately 100 police vehicles arrived at the scene and helicopters flew overhead.

“This should never have happened outside of a house of worship. This should never have happened outside of a celebration of life,” Mayor Erin Mendenhall said.

A spokesperson said the church is cooperating with law enforcement and is grateful for the efforts of first responders.

“We pray for everyone affected by this tragedy and express our deep concern that any sacred site for worship should be subject to any form of violence,” Sam Penrod said in a statement. he said.

The church is headquartered in Salt Lake City, and about half of Utah’s 3.5 million residents are members of the religion.

Churches similar to the one where the shooting occurred can be found in cities and towns across the state.

The faith has been on high alert since four people were killed last month when a former Marine opened fire on a Michigan church and set it on fire.

The FBI found that he was motivated by “anti-religious beliefs” against the church.