Wisconsin Shooting: Several People Injured After Shots Fired At Sikh Temple

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Wisconsin Shooting: Several People Injured After Shots Fired At Sikh Temple
Posted: 08/05/2012 12:58 pm
Oak Creek Shooting, Slideexpand, Wisconsin Shooting, Wisconsin Shooting 2012, Wisconsin Shooting Sikh Temple, Crime News

A mass shooting took place in the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, Patch reported.

The incident occurred on Sunday morning in Oak Creek.

Scroll down or click here for live updates

According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, witnesses say that as many as 30 people may have been shot. CNN reports that a gunman was killed by a police officer. 6 other people have also been confirmed dead, the AP reported.

Greenfield Police Chief Bradley Wentlandt said he doesn't know the total number of victims involved. Police said they did not believe there was a second shooter.

Another Press Briefing

Authorities expect to give another briefing at 3:30 p.m. central time.
1:32 PM – Today

While the situation in Oak Creek continues to develop rapidly, we are working with the FBI and local law enforcement. I became aware of the situation late this morning and continue to receive updated briefings.

Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, as we all struggle to comprehend the evil that begets this terrible violence.

At the same time, we are filled with gratitude for our first responders, who show bravery and selflessness as they put aside their own safety to protect our neighbors and friends.

Tonette and I ask everyone to join us in praying for the victims and their families, praying for the safety of our law enforcement and first responder professionals and praying for strength and healing for this entire community and our state.

-- HuffPost's Amanda Terkel
1:22 PM – Today
Lawmakers Warn About Hate Crimes Against Sikhs

The shooting Sunday at a Sikh Temple in Wisconsin on Sunday will only add to the debate over gun control that is still simmering from the violence in Aurora, Colorado three weeks ago.

Depending on what's discovered about the motives of the shooter, it also seems likely to raise questions over the issue of religiously motivated hate crimes. That topic has been simmering itself in the halls of Congress, with lawmakers (predominantly from urban communities) warning about the vulnerability of certain groups of individuals. In fact, in April of this year, 92 members of the House sent a letter urging the Department of Justice to take stronger steps to collect data on hate crimes directed at the Sikh community.

“The more information our law enforcement agencies have on violence against Sikh-Americans, the more they can do to help prevent these crimes and bring those who commit them to justice,” said Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY), who led the effort. “The Department of Justice and FBI have carried out important outreach efforts in coalition with the Sikh community, but these efforts must also be paired with data collection to ensure we are doing everything possible to crack down on hate crimes against the Sikh community.”

The Detroit Free Press ran an article last year about about young sikh men cutting their hair to avoid being targeted for being Muslim.

Kanwal Singh couldn’t take it anymore.

For about a year, the Canton teenager had tried living in metro Detroit wearing a turban over his uncut hair – as mandated by his Sikh faith.

But the stares and insults were too much.

“Terrorist!” Singh remembers some students in his high school blurting out at him. And so, in 2007, he got his hair cut and shaved his beard – one of many Sikh boys and men who are giving up their articles of faith to avoid discrimination and harassment. Singh and others say a majority of young Sikhs in metro Detroit have cut their hair out of fear.

Indian Embassy Reacts

The Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C. put out a statement in response to the shooting:

We have seen reports on the tragic incident earlier today of firing at a group of worshippers in a Gurudwara in the Milwaukee suburb of Oak Creek, Wisconsin. The Embassy is seized of the situation and has been in touch with the National Security Council in Washington, D.C. Our Consulate General in Chicago too has been in close touch with the local authorities to monitor the situation. An official has been deputed to visit the site to ascertain the situation on-the-spot.

temple shooting

Police block an intersection near the Sikh Temple on S. Howell Ave. in Oak Creek, Mich. where a shooting occurred on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Mike De Sisti)

1:11 PM – Today
President Obama Notified of the shooting shortly before 1pm by his homeland security advisor

Andrew Kaczynski @BuzzFeedAndrew

Sad, family members cry outside the scene in Wisconsin. via the AP.

12:56 PM – Today
Police: No Sign Of Multiple Shooters

One shooter has been confirmed dead, no signs of another shooter, according to police chief Brad Wentlandt.
12:51 PM – Today
Seven Dead, Including Shooter

According to press briefing from Greenfield Police Chief Brad Wentlandt.
12:48 PM – Today
Media Briefing from Police Chief Brad Wentlandt

Greenfield Police Chief Brad Wentlandt, public information officer for the city of Oak Creek:

As I said earlier, about 10:25 am, police dispatch received multiple 9/11 calls for a shooting. 20 year law enforcement veteran was the first person on the scene. He engaged an active shooter outside the temple. Multiple rounds were exchanged, officer was shot multiple times. He is in surgery, condition unknown. The shooter was also shot. He is down on the scene and presumed deceased. Tactical officers have made multiple runs through the facility. The best information we have now. Two individuals were transported from the scene for gunshot wounds. One being the officer, one being a civilian.

The tactical personal have additional identified 4 deceased inside of the temple and three deceased outside the temple, one of whom is the shooter.

12:40 PM – Today
Family Member Tensely Awaits Information

Andrew Kaczynski @BuzzFeedAndrew

A family member waits to hear information about his loved ones. via the AP pic.twitter.com/Tf9QQc5C

12:36 PM – Today
How Many People At Temple?

WISN reports that 90-100 people would have been in the temple at the time of the shooting. There are 400-500 members of the congregation.

-- Amanda Terkel
12:36 PM – Today
Three Priests Reportedly Shot

Ethan Klapper @ethanklapper

Source on WISN: Three priests have been shot #theatershooting
5 Aug 12

12:35 PM – Today
Niece Of Temple President: Every Single Member Of My Family Was Inside That Church

The niece of the temple president on WTMJ, who did not attend temple today:

"No one was answering their phones. All the mothers, the ladies locked up in the room. Kids are in the basement, dont know where the men are. It's going to affect all of us here. For me, my life flashed in front of my eyes. Every single member of my family was inside that church. Just like this, everyone can be gone. I rushed home."

"The scariest feeling in the world."
12:31 PM – Today
'Well-Coordinated Attack'

Amardeep Kaleka, a member of the temple whose mother and father were inside at the time of the shooting, told WISN that there were multiple shooters and it was a "well-coordinated" attack.

"Post-9/11, a lot of Sikhs were attacked because we wear turbans and we have long beards and Afghanis look like us, and we look like Afghanis," he said. "Post-9/11, multiple were murdered. Murdered in New York, murdered in Phoenix, and there have been plenty of documentary films on that. The threat is always there. We know that threat, but we're a very peaceful community... Today was very, very much out of the blue."

-- Amanda Terkel
12:27 PM – Today
Police Briefing Scheduled

Police in Oak Creek, Wis., plan a news conference to address the reported shootings a Sikh temple at 1:30 p.m. CT.
12:26 PM – Today
Possible Multiple Shooters?

Amardeep Kaleka, a family member of one of the victims, told CNN that there were multiple shooters, well-coordinated. Also talks about how Sikhs, since 9/11, have had to deal with being attacked.
12:13 PM – Today
Details On Temple

Adam Nima Pourahmadi @ANPour

400-500 people attend this #Sikh temple #TempleShooting
5 Aug 12

12:10 PM – Today
Froedtert Hospital Statement: Mass Casualty Incident

WTMJ reporting a statement from Froedtert Hospital, which says it is dealing with a mass casualty incident. It reports having three male patients, all in critical condition. One is in the ICU, and one is in the operating room.

12:07 PM – Today
WTMJ: Reported Shooter 'Put Down' Outside Temple

WTMJ is reporting that a police officer who responded to scene was shot multiple times. A shooter was 'put down' outside the temple.
12:03 PM – Today
LISTEN: Radio Station Reporting From The Temple

Newsradio 620 WTMJ is reporting from the scene of the shooting. You can listen here.
11:58 AM – Today
PHOTO: Scene From Across The Street

A.J. Bayatpour @AJBayatpour

Scene from right across the street pic.twitter.com/NgIk9LCk
5 Aug 12

11:57 AM – Today
Priests Reportedly Shot; Women And Children Hiding

From the AP:

Witnesses outside of a Sikh temple near Milwaukee say people inside with whom they have spoken are describing a hostage situation.

Police in suburban Oak Creek have not released any specific details about the shootings that took place Sunday morning. It was unclear how many people had been injured.

Authorities have responded with a dozen ambulances and tactical units. At least two people have been taken to the main trauma hospital in the area.

Sukhwindar Nagr (suk-WIN'-dahr NAG'-er), of Racine, says he called his brother-in-law's phone and a priest at the temple answered. Nagr says the priest told him that his brother-in-law had been shot, along with three priests.

Nagr says the priest also said women and children were hiding in closets at the temple.

11:49 AM – Today
Timing Of How Reports Unfolded

Via Reuters:

The dispatcher for Oak Creek Fire Department said first reports of the shooting came in about 10:30 a.m. local time (11.30 a.m. EDT).

"We do have a shooting," she said. "Our whole department is out there, and others as well." She did not have details on any possible victims.

Police officials declined to comment.

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[+3] - joefromchicago - 08/05/2012For Fudd's sake exercise [i]some [/i]discretion in copying and pasting these articles. Live blogs that are out-of-date moments after they're printed, entire Wikipedia articles -- it's all just...

@BumbleBeeBoogie,

Seven Said To Be Dead After Shooting At Sikh Temple In Wisconsin
August 5, 2012
by Mark Memmott - NPR

Anxiously waiting for word: Family and friends of those who were inside the Sikh temple gathered nearby as they waited for news about their loved ones.
Enlarge Jeffrey Phelps/AP

Anxiously waiting for word: Family and friends of those who were inside the Sikh temple gathered nearby as they waited for news about their loved ones.

A shooting at a Sikh Temple in a suburb of Milwaukee today has left at least seven people dead, including the gunman, police say.

According to authorities, 911 calls about a gunman at the place of worship started coming in around 11:25 a.m. ET. The first police officer on the scene, officials say, encountered an armed man in the parking lot. They exchanged fire. The gunman was killed. The officer was seriously wounded. Later, officers reported finding four people dead inside the temple and another three — including the gunman — outside.

Details are still developing about just what has happened in Oak Creek, Wis.

Some of the more solid reporting is coming from Milwaukee's Journal Sentinel.

We'll monitor and update as information becomes clearer.

Update at 3:15 p.m. ET. About The Sikh Religion.

As the Journal Sentinel writes:

"More than 20 million people worldwide follow the Sikh religion, established about 500 years ago in the Punjab region of India. Devout male followers must wear long beards and their hair in a turban, and in America are sometimes mistaken for Muslims; the two religions are not affiliated. Sikhism is an offshoot of Hinduism, but unlike Hindus, who believe in multiple deities, Sikhs are monotheistic."

Update at 2:47 pm. ET. Seven Thought To Be Dead:

Officers who have searched the temple say at least four people have been found dead inside and that there are three bodies outside the temple — including that of the gunman who was "put down" by the first officer on the scene — Greenfield, Wis., Police Chief Bradley Wentlandt just told reporters. He's acting as a spokesman for the agencies involved in the investigation.

Wentlandt also said it is not known for sure at this time whether another gunman might have been involved. Though there were multiple reports of a more than one gunman being seen at the temple, those might have been different people seeing the same person, he said.

Update at 2:15 p.m. ET. Three People Known To Be In Critical Condition:

Three men now at Froedtert Trauma Center in Milwaukee are in critical condition with gunshot wounds, the hospital's chief medical officer — Lee Biblo — just told CNN.

Update at 2:09 p.m. ET. Gunshot Or Explosion Reportedly Just Heard:

"SWAT team members were still sweeping the building about 1 p.m. [2 p.m ET] and a gunshot or explosion was heard from the building at that time," the Journal Sentinel says.

It adds that "among those who were shot was the president of the temple, Satwant Kaleka, who was taken to a hospital. Deepinder Dhaliwal said Kaleka, his brother in law, was shot in the back, but has now been taken to a hospital in St. Francis."

Update at 2 p.m. ET. "Shooter Put Down":

On CNN moments ago, a police spokesman told reporters that one suspect "is down." He was shot by a police officer who responded to a 911 call about a gunman at the temple. That officer was "shot multiple times," but is expected to survive. Authorities are now trying to determine if there might be another gunman or gunmen inside the temple.

Update at 1:50 p.m. ET. Live TV Coverage:

Milwaukee's WISN-TV has started streaming its coverage here.

Update at 1:45 p.m. ET. Four Shot, Not Killed?

As often happens in breaking news situations, what's being reported is changing from minute to minute. WTMJ, which earlier said that images taken from a helicopter showed at least four people who had been killed, now says the pictures "showed at least four people who were shot."

The Journal Sentinel is saying "at least four people were shot just after 10 a.m. Sunday."

Update at 1:35 p.m. ET. Emergency Radio Traffic Online:

RadioReference.com has put one channel of the Milwaukee County Fire Department's radio traffic online here.

Update at 1:30 p.m. ET. Fatalities Reported; Not Confirmed:

Milwaukee's WTMJ Newsradio says pictures taken from news helicopters show "at least four people who were killed." Authorities, though, have not said anything about any victims.

Update at 1:27 p.m. ET. Possible Hostage Situation:

WISN-TV from Milwaukee is reporting that police suspect a gunman may still be inside the temple and that there may be hostages.

Update at 1:25 p.m. ET. Some Injured At Hospital:

A spokeswoman for the Froedtert Trauma Center in Milwaukee just told CNN that two with gunshot injuries have been brought to that facility.

0 Replies

@BumbleBeeBoogie,

7 killed, including gunman, in shooting at Wisconsin Sikh temple

View Photo Gallery — Shooting at Sikh temple in Wisconsin: Police in Wisconsin say one suspect has been “put down” outside a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wis.

By Jerry Markon, Washington Post
Sunday, August 5, 1:20 PM

A gunman shot and killed six people at a Sikh temple near Milwaukee on Sunday morning before being gunned down by police outside the building, authorities said.

The suspect, who has not been identified, killed four people inside the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek and two more outside, Greenfield Police Chief Bradley Wentlandt told reporters at a briefing. He was then shot by an officer and is presumed dead, Wentlandt said.

Police in Wisconsin say one suspect has been "put down" outside a Sikh temple and they do not know if other shooters are inside the building Authorities were called to the temple Sunday morning with a report of shots fired.

Police in Wisconsin say one suspect has been "put down" outside a Sikh temple and they do not know if other shooters are inside the building Authorities were called to the temple Sunday morning with a report of shots fired.

(The Washington Post/Source: Wire reports) - Location of shooting at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wis., just outside Milwaukee.

The officer, a 20-year veteran, was shot multiple times in the exchange of gunfire and is in surgery. His condition is unknown. Authorities made “multiple search runs through the temple” amid fear of more shooters, but “at this time, we have not identified any additional gunmen,’’ Wentlandt said.

The latest U.S. mass shooting took place less than two weeks after a gunman killed 12 people and injured 58 during a rampage at a showing of the latest Batman movie at a theater in Aurora, Colo. James Holmes, 24, has been charged in that shooting.

It is unclear what may have motivated the shooter in Oak Creek, which is south of Milwaukee. Police have not speculated on a possible motive.

Fran McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for the Milwaukee County sheriff’s department, said SWAT teams and other officers responded to a 10:26 a.m. call about the shooting.

Officials initially described a chaotic scene at the temple, with an unknown number of victims, shooters and possible hostages.

Three shooting victims, all men, were taken to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, the main trauma center for the area, spokeswoman Carolyn Bellin told the Associated Press. One was in the operating room, another in a surgical intensive care unit and the third was being evaluated in the emergency room, she said.

Sukhwindar Nagr, of Racine, Wis., said he called his brother-in-law’s phone and a priest at the temple answered and told him that his brother-in-law had been shot, along with three priests. The priest also said women and children were hiding in closets in the temple, Nagr said.

No one answered the phone at the temple Sunday afternoon.

0 Replies

@BumbleBeeBoogie,

At Least 6 Dead in Shooting at Sikh Temple in Wisconsin
Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, via Associated Press

At least one gunman opened fire in a Sikh temple near Milwaukee on Sunday, killing at least six and injuring several others before being shot himself, the police said. The gunman is also believed to have died.

The shootings occurred about 10:30 a.m. at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in the town of Oak Creek, just south of Milwaukee, officials said.

The authorities described the scene at the temple as chaotic as they attended to the victims and tried to sort out what had happened. The police said they were still uncertain whether there were other gunmen at the temple.

Bradley Wentlandt, the chief of police in nearby Greenfield, told journalists on the scene that four bodies had been found inside the temple and three were found outside, including that of the suspect. He said a veteran police officer who arrived on the scene exchanged fire with the gunman.

“That officer was shot multiple times,” Mr. Wentlandt said. “The shooter was put down.” He said the injured officer was taken to the hospital and it was unclear whether he would survive. The suspect, who was not immediately identified, was “assumed deceased,” he said.

At least three men, all with gunshot wounds, have been admitted to Froedtert Hospital, the Milwaukee region’s main trauma center, said Nalissa Wienke, a spokeswoman for the hospital. One victim was shot in the head and extremities and another in the abdomen. The third was undergoing evaluation.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that victims were being removed from the temple’s prayer room and that a SWAT team was sweeping the building. The newspaper reported that the temple’s president, Satwant Kaleka, was among those shot.

There were conflicting reports about whether another gunman had taken hostages inside the temple. Local news agencies, citing text messages from people inside have reported that two or more gunmen could have been involved.

The shooting comes just over two weeks after a gunman killed 12 people and wounded nearly 60 in a mass shooting at a movie theater in Aurora, Colo.

In response to the shooting, the police in New York said that security was being increased at Sikh temples in the city. “There is no known threat against Sikh temples in New York City, however, the coverage is being put in place out of an abundance of caution,” the New York police said in a statement.

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@BumbleBeeBoogie,

Gurdwaras in the United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Portal icon Sikhism portal

This list of gurdwaras in the United States contains the location of each major gurdwara (Sikh worship center) within each U.S. state.
Contents

1 Background
2 Gurdwara listing by state
2.1 Alabama
2.2 Alaska
2.3 Arizona
2.4 California
2.5 Colorado
2.6 Connecticut
2.7 District of Columbia
2.8 Florida
2.9 Georgia
2.10 Hawaii
2.11 Illinois
2.12 Indiana
2.13 Iowa
2.14 Kansas
2.15 Louisiana
2.16 Maryland
2.17 Massachusetts
2.18 Michigan
2.19 Minnesota
2.20 Mississippi
2.21 Missouri
2.22 North Carolina
2.23 Nevada
2.24 New Mexico
2.25 New Jersey
2.26 New York
2.27 Ohio
2.28 Oregon
2.29 Pennsylvania
2.30 Tennessee
2.31 Texas
2.32 Virginia
2.33 Washington
2.34 Wisconsin
3 References
4 External links

Background

A gurdwara (Punjabi: ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ, gurdu'ārā or ਗੁਰਦਵਾਰਾ, gurdvārā), meaning "the doorway to the Guru", is a Sikh place of worship. It is a place where Sikhs can gather to hear devotional hymns and recital from the Guru Granth Sahib - the Sikh holy book.

Guru Hargobind, the Sixth Sikh Guru, introduced the word "gurdwara" in the 1600s, and any place where the Guru Granth Sahib is installed and treated with due respect can be referred to as a gurdwara, whether it is a room in one's house or a separate building. Three main functions are carried out in all gurdwaras:

Kirtan - the singing of devotional hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib
Reading of the Guru Granth Sahib and its meaning
Langar - free community kitchen for all visitors, regardless of race, creed, or religion.

Other activities that also take place in gurdwaras include the provision of libraries of Sikh literature, teaching of Gurmukhi and other charitable work for the community.

Dr. Harbans Singh established the first gurdwara in New York in Richmond Hill. On March 10, 2002, Newsday reported, "A Congregation Mourns; Sikhs grieve for injured priest, loss of center in blaze." It noted that, "Onlookers gazed at the gutted remains of the temple and members gathered to pray and comfort each other ... More than 2,500 people worshipped at the temple on weekends and an estimated 10,000 on holidays." With offers of help streaming in from Sikh centers, others in the local community also offered their support. "A couple from Woodside who brought flowers to the neighborhood said they just wanted to show their sympathy and support for the community. 'After Sept. 11, so much has happened to the Sikh community in terms of mistaken identity ... And to have this happen is a terrible thing'."

1 Reply

Now we wait to see if the gunman was arm with an 'assault weapon' or a non assault weapon like a handgun.

1 Reply

@BumbleBeeBoogie,

Police just reported that no more gunmen have been found, so it looks like the only killer is dead.

BBB

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I just came on line and saw this thread. I have no words to express how I feel at this time.

1 Reply

@edgarblythe,

Horrible. Just a horrible tragedy.

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According to CNN, the federal government is investigating this mass shooting as an act of domestic terrorism.

Three of the survivors are still in critical condition.

0 Replies

Kaleka was not at the temple at the time of the shooting, but helped police interview witnesses in the aftermath. He said members described the attacker as a bald, white man, dressed in a white T-shirt and black pants and with a 9/11 tattoo on one arm -- which "implies to me that there's some level of hate crime there."

He said the gunman started shooting in the parking lot, "then entered into the temple and proceeded to open fire."

0 Replies

@BumbleBeeBoogie,

For Fudd's sake exercise some discretion in copying and pasting these articles. Live blogs that are out-of-date moments after they're printed, entire Wikipedia articles -- it's all just clutter.

2 Replies

@joefromchicago,

Sikh Temple Shooting Suspect Named
August 6, 2012
by Mark Memmott and Scott Neuman - NPR

A woman wipes away a tear in front of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin on Sunday in Oak Creek.

The latest developments related to Sunday's shooting at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wis., in which six people were killed and three injured before, authorities say, the gunman was killed by police:

Update at 10:40 a.m. ET. More On Suspect's Reported Connection To A White-Power Band:

There's now a "bulletin" from the Southern Poverty Law Center about Wade Michael Page (the name of the suspected gunman, sources tell NPR and other news oulets) and his "racist white-power band."

Update at 10 a.m. ET. Suspect Named As Gunman Reportedly Led "Racist White-Power Band Known As End Apathy":

Wade Michael Page, the name of the gunman according to sources who have spoken to NPR and other news outlets, "was a frustrated neo-Nazi who had been the leader of a racist white-power band known as End Apathy," Heidi Branch of the Southern Poverty Law Center tells Milwaukee's Journal Sentinel.

The newspaper writes that Branch also said that the center, which keeps tabs on hate groups, "had been tracking Page since 2000, when he tried to purchase goods from the National Alliance, a well known hate group."

A MySpace page for End Apathy lists "Wade - Vocals/Guitars." The songs posted there have had relatively few plays. The band describes its music as "a sad commentary on our sick society and the problems that prevent true progress." The current "featured song" is called Self Destruct.

There's an April 2010 interview with "Wade" on the website of Label56 (the link may not always work; we've gotten "internal service error" messages a few times). In it, he says the band's songs are about "how the value of human life has been degraded by being submissive to tyranny and hypocrisy that we are subjugated to." He also talks about having attended "Hammerfest 2000," a two-day white-power concert in Bremen, Ga.

— Update at 8:35 a.m. ET. Suspect Was Reduced In Rank Before Army Discharge, Sources Say:

NPR Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman reports that his sources tell him that Wade Michael Page (the name, according to law enforcement sources, of the man police say was the gunman) was:

— Born on Nov. 11, 1971. That means he was 40 years old.

— Served in the U.S. Army from April 1992 to October 1998.

— Rose in rank to sergeant, but was reduced to the rank of specialist at some point before receiving a general discharge. Tom adds that a general discharge, unlike an honorary discharge, means the individual had been "performing satisfactorily but did not meet all the expectations of service." And reductions in rank, Tom says, usually related to conduct rather than performance.

— Update at 8:15 a.m. ET. Sources Name The Suspect:

The gunman was named Wade Michael Page, a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation tells NPR's Dina Temple-Raston. That's the same name that CNN reported earlier, citing "multiple law enforcement officials."

Dina's source also says Page was 40 and had served in the U.S. military.

Our original post:

Authorities were searching the apartment of the man suspected of gunning down six congregants and wounding three others at a Sikh temple in a Milwaukee suburb over the weekend, but were releasing few details of the alleged assailant.

The suspect was described by federal officials as a white man in his 40s, according to The Associated Press. Authorities say he was killed in a shootout with police during Sunday's attack at the temple in Oak Creek, Wis. Officials have so far declined to name him or speculate on a motive other than to say they were treating the crime as a possible act of domestic terrorism.

The AP said federal agents and the county sheriff's bomb squad had swarmed a neighborhood in the Cudahy suburb of Milwaukee where the suspect lived in an apartment. The news agency quoted Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Agent Tom Ahern as saying warrants were being served at the home.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel quoted landlord Kurt Weins as saying the man was an Army veteran. Weins told the newspaper that the man had "checked out" before renting the duplex and that he believed his tenant was from Chicago and had no record of violence in Wisconsin.

Weins said the man was something of a loner and that there was nothing suspicious in his behavior during the brief period he knew him.

The Journal Sentinel quoted a neighbor, Jenny Czarnecki, who said the man had lived in an apartment with his girlfriend but had moved across the street when the couple broke up in recent weeks.

Oak Creek Police Chief John Edwards said police expected to release more information today and that the FBI is leading the investigation because shootings are being treated as domestic terrorism, according to the AP.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, himself a Sikh, expressed sadness that the temple was a target of violence.

"That this senseless act of violence should be targeted at a place of religious worship is particularly painful," he said in a statement Monday.

0 Replies

@joefromchicago,

I guess Aunt Bee doesn't give a Fudd about A2K clutter

1 Reply

@panzade,

here, have a kerosene pickle...

0 Replies

@BillRM,

BillRM wrote:

Now we wait to see if the gunman was arm with an 'assault weapon'
or a non assault weapon like a handgun.

Even a chair or a rolled-up newspaper is an assault weapon.
It can be used as a weapon, to assault people.

( Some weapons r better than others. )

The victims needed better weapons.
THAT is the penalty for NOT having them.

David

1 Reply

@OmSigDAVID,

I've heard about that newspaper stuff, David. My considered opinion is that it would be more effective stuffed down someone's throat than as a striking weapon.

1 Reply

@roger,

roger wrote:

I've heard about that newspaper stuff, David.
My considered opinion is that it would be more effective
stuffed down someone's throat than as a striking weapon.

U can also use it to set someone on fire.
We shall make no mention of liquid accelerants.

Be careful, Roger, lest some zealous leftists
seek to subvert freedom of the press.

0 Replies

@BumbleBeeBoogie,

Nothing like this could happen at second amendment-loving, god-fearing places like
College Station,Texas.

0 Replies

Wisconsin Shooting: Several People Injured After Shots Fired At Sikh Temple

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