A funeral service in Salt Lake City was tragically disrupted by gunfire on Wednesday night, January 7, 2026, leaving two men dead and six others injured.One of the victims, who had shared his personal story of transformation and recovery, is now being remembered for his efforts to inspire change in others.The shooting occurred around 7:30 p.m., outside the Rose Park 5th Ward chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 660 N. Redwood Road, according to The Salt Lake City Tribune (SLT). A funeral service was underway at the time.The Riverside 2nd Ward, which also meets in the building, was not holding services that evening. Both congregations serve members of the Tongan community.

Initial reports described an active shooter, prompting a large police response. Authorities later stated the shooting was not random and not religiously motivated. Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd confirmed there was no ongoing threat to the public.By Thursday morning, five of the six people injured in the shooting remained hospitalized, while one had been released. Three were reported in critical condition. The conditions of the others were not confirmed, as they had been taken to hospitals in private vehicles.Amid the chaos, police identified the two men who died as Sione Vatuvei, 38, and Vaea Tulikihihifo, who was known to loved ones as “Junior,” “Boney,” and sometimes “Tomato Head.”