A fight in the parking lot during a funeral left two men dead

What happened

Just after 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, shots were fired in the parking lot of a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Redwood Road in Salt Lake City’s Rose Park neighborhood. KSL reported that a funeral was underway inside with between 150 and 200 people. Police said the shooting grew out of a dispute between people who knew each other and were attending the funeral.

Two men, Sione Vatuvei, 38, and Vaea Tulikihihifo, 46, were killed. Six other men were taken to hospitals. Police said witnesses would not cooperate, and two men were charged in January with obstruction of justice.

In April, the Salt Lake County District Attorney unsealed charges against John Vea Uasike Jr., 32, of California, including two counts of murder. Prosecutors say he was one of the gunmen and was himself wounded, then went back to California after leaving the hospital. He was arrested there on April 14. The charges are allegations.

What safety teams can take from it

• Funerals bring conflict with them. Grief, family feuds and old disputes all show up at the same time and place. Ask the family about known tensions before the service, the same way you’d ask about seating.
• Watch the parking lot, not just the doors. This started and ended outside. Put someone where they can see the lot during and after the service, with a radio and a direct line to 911.
• Have a “stay inside” plan. When shots are heard outside, the safest move is often to keep people in, away from doors and windows. Decide ahead of time who makes that call and how it gets announced.
• Bleeding control kits near the exits. Six people were wounded. Tourniquets and trained hands near the entrances can save lives before EMS can safely get close.
• Get the facts for police. Witnesses here would not talk. Your team can help by saving camera footage and writing down what they saw while it’s fresh.