Faisal Salisu DambattaAt least two people have been killed and six others injured following a shooting outside a church building in the United States.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah, where a funeral was underway.
Police confirmed the attack and said investigations have commenced. While a manhunt has been launched, no suspect has been arrested or taken into custody.
Authorities said the shooting was not random but stressed that it was not a targeted attack against any religious group.
According to the church, there were signs of an altercation outside the building before the gunshots were fired.
“Out in the parking lot, there was some sort of altercation took place, and that’s when shots were fired,” church spokesperson Glen Mills said.
Following the incident, about 100 law enforcement vehicles were deployed to the scene, with helicopters hovering overhead.
Reacting, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said the shooting should never have occurred outside a place of worship or during a celebration of life.
The attack comes amid growing unrest in the United States, following the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman, Renee Nicole, by a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis.
The incident sparked protests against the immigration crackdown under former President Donald Trump’s administration.
ICE officials said the shooting was in self-defence, claiming the woman attempted to use her vehicle against officers. However, Minnesota authorities disputed this account, saying the level of threat to officers remains unclear.
