At least two people are dead and six others injured following a shooting outside a Mormon church in Utah on Wednesday night.

The horrific act of violence took place in the parking lot of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse on Redwood Road in Salt Lake City at about 7.30pm.

Dozens of people were attending a funeral viewing inside the building at the time. All the victims were adults. 

Salt Lake City Police Department spokesperson Glen Mills said an active manhunt is underway to find the shooter or shooters but the force's Gang Unit is involved.

Police have not released a description of the suspects or their vehicle however at least one person was taken into custody just before 10pm.

'We don't believe this was a targeted attack against a religion but we also don't believe that it was random,' Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd during a late night press conference.

Chief Redd confirmed detectives specializing in gang violence were also on scene.

Devastated family members were in shock at what had happened. 

'I was inside at the funeral viewing, then I walked out side and all my cousins were on the floor after getting shot,' one shocked family member who did not wish to give his name said to ABC4.

Friends and family hugged one another after a fatal shooting in a parking lot of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Wednesday night

Police are seen responding to the fatal shooting in the parking lot of the church 

Officers are seen on the scene behind a security cordon at the church

'Tonight was a funeral viewing for one of my cousins who died just a few days ago - but I guess there's going to be a few more funerals now,' he added.

Another family member also appeared shaken as they tried to understand what had happened. 

'It's cruel. It's a cruel world, especially at a funeral. It's not right. It's not fair,' an unidentified family member told ABC4.

'I was in the bathroom of the church when all of a sudden I heard screaming. [After hearing the gunshots] I looked for my dad and my mom. Everything was just everywhere all at once,' the woman said through tears. 

'The situation still is very fluid,' police spokesperson, Mills, said adding there were at least eight victims, including two who tragically died.

Three more remain in critical condition, while the conditions of at least three others is currently unknown.

The city's mayor was also at the scene and vowed to work to catch those responsible.

'This should have happened outside a place or worship, at a celebration of life. We know this impacts the victims and their families but the entire community,' Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said.