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SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — A solemn gathering to honor the late Asi Sekona turned to tragedy Wednesday night when a shooting erupted in the parking lot of a Salt Lake City church, leaving two people dead and at least six others injured, according to authorities.
The incident occurred at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 665 N Redwood Road, where mourners had gathered for a viewing. An active shooter call was placed to dispatchers, prompting a massive emergency response. Police, medical personnel, and law enforcement from multiple agencies rushed to the scene, securing the area as they tended to the victims.
Following the shooting, Sekona’s body was moved from the building. Funeral services have been rescheduled to take place in Los Angeles, California, on Thursday to allow the family to proceed amid the ongoing investigation.
Ongoing Investigation: Suspect at Large, Motive Unclear
As of 11:00 p.m. Wednesday, Salt Lake City Police reported that no suspect was in custody. Investigators stated the shooting is believed to have been a targeted attack but emphasized there is no indication it was religiously motivated.
“Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, along with the metro gang unit, are actively working the case,” a police spokesperson confirmed. The next official update on the investigation is expected at 10:00 a.m. Thursday.
The chapel where the shooting occurred serves two Tongan congregations: the Riverside 2nd Ward (Tongan) and the Rose Park 5th Ward (Tongan). The community is now grappling with the shock and grief of violence intruding upon a moment of mourning.
The incident has left a deep scar on the community, turning an evening dedicated to remembrance into one of chaos and profound heartbreak. Authorities continue their urgent search for those responsible as the investigation unfolds.