No arrests have been made in Wednesday's shooting in the parking lot of a house of worship for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormon church. Authorities say they do not know whether the shooting was gang-related and that they are having trouble getting witnesses to cooperate. Five people remained hospitalized Thursday, with police protection at those facilities.
“We are looking into the reason and cause for the gunfire,” Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd said Thursday morning. All the shooting victims were adults. At least three of the injured were in critical condition, police said. Vaea Tulikihihifo, 46, and Sione Vatuvei, 38, were identified as the two people killed in the shooting.
Police said they do not believe the shooting was random or motivated by animus against the faith.
The red brick church in the northwest Salt Lake City neighborhood mostly serves Tongan congregants and holds regular worship services in their native tongue, according to its website.
