Washington: The bodies of eight people, including five children, were found dead from gunshot wounds in a residential building in the US state of Utah during a welfare check, the Enoch City Police department said.

The victims were found when police did a welfare check at the residence, according to a statement by officials in Enoch, a town of about 8,000 people about 240 miles south of Salt Lake City.

“On January 4, 2023, officers of the Enoch City Police department were summoned to 4900 North block of Albert Drive in reference to a welfare check. Officers checked the residence and found three adults and five minors deceased inside the home. Each appeared to have sustained gunshot wounds,” the police said in a press release, as reported by Sputnik news agency.

The police also said that there was no threat to the public or “any suspects at large.”
They added that the investigation was underway and that more information would be provided at a later time.

Enoch City Manager Rob Dotson said the deceased — all members of one family — were well-known in the southern Utah town, reports LA Times.

Welfare checks based on calls to a police department are routine when individuals are not seen for extended periods of time, Dotson said.

Learning of the tragedy, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox tweeted, “Our hearts go out to all those affected by this senseless violence. Please keep the community of Enoch in your prayers.”