2026 Salt Lake City church shooting

On January 7, 2026, an altercation occurred outside a meetinghouse of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during a funeral in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The altercation escalated into a shooting that killed two people and left six others injured (three of whom critically), and resulted in a manhunt for the suspect or suspects.

According to Salt Lake City Police, the altercation that preceded the shooting was a personal dispute between funeral attendees and that gunfire was exchanged by two or more people. Several people were detained, but they were reportedly "not cooperative". Police do not suspect that the attack was targeted against the church.

Victims

Killed:

• Sione Vatuvei, 38
• Vaea Tulikihihifo, 46

Reactions

Salt Lake City mayor Erin Mendenhall said that she was "heartbroken" by the shooting and that she was in constant contact with the city's police department leadership.

See also

• 2025 Grand Blanc Township church attack, a [...] at an LDS Church in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan three months earlier.