KEARNS, Utah — One person was killed, and two others were critically injured Monday after gunfire erupted outside a funeral at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse in Kearns, according to police.
The shooting occurred on the south side of the church shortly before 11:30 a.m. Officers were already at the meetinghouse when the gunfire began after funeral attendees contacted law enforcement earlier Monday morning and requested a police presence because, according to authorities, they were concerned “there could be a problem.”
One Victim Killed, Two Critically Injured
Officers responding to the gunfire found a man lying in the roadway with critical injuries. Police and emergency personnel provided aid at the scene before the victim was transported to a nearby hospital.
He was later pronounced dead.
Authorities have not released the man’s identity or age.
As officers dealt with the first victim, police said they spotted another injured man being carried toward a vehicle.
When officers attempted to intervene, the vehicle fled the area, prompting a short pursuit.
Police eventually stopped the vehicle near 4700 South and 4000 West in West Valley City. The second shooting victim was then transported to a hospital in critical condition.
Investigators subsequently located a third victim at the church. That person was also suffering from critical injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment.
Police said all of those involved in the incident are believed to be men. Their ages have not been released.
Nearby Schools Temporarily Secured
The shooting prompted security precautions at three nearby schools while police investigated the incident.
Kearns Junior High, West Kearns Elementary and David Gourley Elementary were placed under secure protocols at approximately 11:30 a.m.
The measures were precautionary, and the protocols were lifted by approximately 12:30 p.m.
Police said the shooting occurred outside the meetinghouse, and investigators currently believe the violence was an isolated incident rather than a broader threat to the surrounding community.
Police Investigating Possible Gang Connection
Investigators are interviewing witnesses and working to determine exactly what led to the gunfire.
Authorities are also examining whether gang activity may have played a role in the shooting. Police said they had gathered “everyone involved,” although officials did not immediately provide additional information about potential suspects, arrests, or the circumstances leading up to the violence.
The fact that funeral attendees requested officers at the church before the shooting is also expected to be an important part of the investigation as detectives work to determine what concerns existed before the funeral and whether those concerns were connected to the deadly confrontation.
No motive has been officially announced.
The investigation remains active, and authorities have not released the identities of the three victims.
This is a developing story first reported by The Citizen. Habari News will update this report as additional information becomes available.
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