SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — A mass shooting during a funeral in Salt Lake City killed two people and injured six others, authorities said. The deceased, identified by loved ones as Asi Sekona, had strong ties to Southern California, particularly the Inglewood and Watts areas, and was scheduled to be buried in the Los Angeles area following the viewing, family members said.
Sekona was being honored at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel when an altercation broke out in the parking lot, leading to shots being fired around 7:36 p.m. Wednesday, officials reported. KTLA’s sister station in Utah, ABC4, confirmed there were at least eight victims — two of whom died from their gunshot wounds. Three victims were listed in critical condition, while the remaining three were reported in unknown condition. Police said all of the victims were adults, but their identities had not yet been released.
As of Thursday morning, authorities were continuing their search for at least one suspect who fled the scene. ABC4 reported that multiple individuals were detained overnight for questioning, but they were not considered suspects in the shooting.
Salt Lake City police confirmed that Metro Gang Unit detectives were on scene. While investigators said preliminary evidence suggests the shooting was not random, officials emphasized that it did not appear to target any particular religion. A possible gang connection had not been confirmed.
Attendees who were already grieving described the scene as chaotic and devastating. One cousin who attended the viewing told ABC4 that the service was for a relative who had died just days earlier and was scheduled to be transported to California for burial. “It was the viewing, and now there will probably be a few more funerals,” he said, adding that four of his cousins were shot.
He recalled being inside the church when he heard screams and ran outside to find multiple people down in the parking lot. “I seen my aunties just running in saying, ‘ah, they shot him,’ and then other bodies in the parking lot just laying out,” he said, describing his first instinct to grab his child and call 911.
Another family member described hearing screaming inside the church and seeing mourners running in all directions. “It’s cruel. It’s a cruel world — especially at a funeral,” she said. “It’s not okay. It just hurts.”
Nearby residents reported hearing multiple gunshots and rushing outside to help. Doorbell camera footage obtained by ABC4 captured at least two shots, followed quickly by police flooding the area. Witnesses said people could be heard crying and wailing as officers secured the scene.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement expressing condolences to the victims’ families and confirmed that it was cooperating with law enforcement. Family members’ social media posts reviewed by ABC4 indicated that the service in Utah was intended for local friends and family, while plans were underway to fly Sekona’s casket to Los Angeles for burial. Posts also referenced Tongan traditions, noting that Tongan-language church services were held at the chapel where the funeral took place.
Family members said Sekona was well-known and deeply loved, making the violence during his memorial service especially tragic. Salt Lake City police said the investigation remained active Thursday and urged anyone with information to come forward to help authorities piece together the events that led to this senseless act of violence.
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