LDS missionary slightly injured in Salt Lake shooting

Two LDS missionaries were shot at in Salt Lake City over the weekend, according to police. One of them suffered a minor injury on his upper-right arm when he was grazed by a bullet.

The incident happened Saturday about 8 p.m. near 1700 S. West Temple. Two missionaries, ages 19 and 21, from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, were throwing snowballs at each other, Salt Lake Police Sgt. Robin Snyder said. A statement from the church has identified them as Elder Lemafe Talapa and Elder Joshua Parks.

The 19-year-old was shaking off his coat when a man "appeared out of nowhere" and without saying a word, fired three rounds at the missionaries from about 40 feet away, Snyder said.

Just as quickly as the man appeared, he was gone right after the shots were fired. It is unknown if the man was in a vehicle or walked away, Snyder said.

Parks, the 19-year-old missionary, received an inch to 2-inch cut due to the bullet grazing his arm. But the man reportedly did not want to upset his family over what had happened, so he did not call police, she said.

It wasn't until Wednesday when he told one of his church leaders about the shooting that he was instructed to report the incident to authorities immediately, Snyder said. By that time, however, it was hard for detectives to find any evidence at the crime scene.

Investigators went door-to-door questioning residents and business owners about what they saw or heard, she said.

"We hit every house on the east and west end of the street," Snyder said.

The only description police have of the shooter is a man of unknown race, about 5-foot-10 and 150 pounds, last seen wearing a blue hoodie. Anyone with information can call police at 799-INFO (4636).

"We are very grateful that neither young man was seriously hurt," said church spokesman Scott Trotter. "We have no idea what motive there would be for an incident such as this."

Trotter said the safety of its missionaries is a top priority for the church. LDS officials said they are working closely with law enforcers in the investigation.

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