(NewsNation) — A manhunt is underway in Utah for at least one person who shot eight people, killing two, outside a Salt Lake City church on Wednesday.
The incident took place during a memorial service late Wednesday night at a house of worship for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known widely as the Mormon church. Police do not believe the shooting was a targeted attack on the church or its members.
At about 7:30 p.m. local time, police said there was a serious dispute during a funeral, which led to someone opening fire in a parking lot. Among the six injured, three are in critical condition, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. The condition of the other three victims was unclear.
The Salt Lake City Police Department confirmed authorities were searching for at least one suspect, though investigators were working to determine if additional suspects were involved.
One person told NewsNation’s Salt Lake City affiliate, KTVX, that he walked out of the church to find multiple cousins lying on the ground.
“Tonight was a viewing for one of my cousins who just passed away a few days ago and we should be bringing him back to California for his actual laid to rest his funeral and tragic happened [sic],” the man said. “Four of my other cousins got shot, and I think they’re dead, so yeah, it’s crazy.”
In response, the church said it was aware of the shooting and is working with police and offering prayers to anyone impacted.
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall shared her “deepest condolences to the victims.”
“This tragedy never should have happened, but the fact that it happened outside a place of worship during a celebration of life is especially heartbreaking,” she wrote on social media.