Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

AP/PA Images
Shooting

Five children among eight relatives found shot dead in Utah home

Bodies were discovered yesterday when police did a welfare check at the house.

EIGHT FAMILY MEMBERS – including five children – were found shot dead in a southern Utah home, authorities said.

They were discovered yesterday when police did a welfare check at the house, according to a statement by officials in Enoch, a small town of about 8,000 people 245 miles south of Salt Lake City.

Police said they did not detect any threat to the public.

Enoch city manager Rob Dotson said the community is shocked and in mourning.

eight-dead-utah Neighbours watch as law enforcement officials work at a home where eight members of a family were found dead from gunshot wounds (Ben B. Braun / The Deseret News/AP (Ben B. Braun / The Deseret News/AP / The Deseret News/AP

“Many of us have served with them in church, in the community and gone to school with these individuals,” he said in a video statement last night.

“This community at this time is hurting. They’re feeling loss, they’re feeling pain and they have a lot of questions,” Dotson added, saying officials plan on releasing more information as it becomes available and the police investigation progresses.

“We won’t know the mindsets, the thoughts of the individuals who experienced this tragedy, but we all can pray that their families and the neighbours and all will come to an understanding of what happened in this place, probably in a day or two, or maybe longer,” he said, choking up at one point.

 

enoch-multi-death A law enforcement official stands at the front door of the home involved Ben B. Brown / The Deseret News/AP Ben B. Brown / The Deseret News/AP / The Deseret News/AP

Welfare checks are routine when individuals are not seen for extended periods of time, Dotson said.

The five children attended schools in the Iron County School District, officials said in a letter to parents.

Utah governor Spencer Cox offered condolences in a tweet last night.

He wrote: “Our hearts go out to all those affected by this senseless violence. Please keep the community of Enoch in your prayers.”

Author
Press Association