Five children and three adults found shot dead in US home

The deceased - all members of one family - were well known in the southern Utah town.

Five children and three adults found shot dead within Enoch, Utah home — Utah: The victims were discovered at a home in Enoch, a small town of 8,000 people. Google Maps

5th Jan 2023

Eight people, five of whom were children, were found dead from gunshot wounds in a southern Utah home on Wednesday.

The victims were discovered when officers did a welfare check at the residence, according to a statement by city officials in Enoch, a small town of about 8,000 people.

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

Enoch city manager Rob Dotson said the community had been sent reeling by news of the eight bodies and that the deceased — all members of one family — were well known in the southern Utah town.

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

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

Welfare checks based on calls to the police department like the one that led them to the residence where the bodies were found are routine when individuals are not seen for extended periods of time, Mr Dotson said.

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

Utah Governor Spencer Cox offered condolences in a tweet on Wednesday night.

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