Shooter also presumed dead in what appears to be a hate crime
At least six people have been killed and “dozens” critically injured by one confirmed gunman at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, a gurdwara, in what appeared to be a hate crime in Oak Creek, a quiet suburb of Milwaukee. The White House confirmed that a police officer killed the lone gunman and as of 6:30pm EST “the situation at the Sikh Temple was under control.”
After news of the attack broke around mid-day local time, media reports quoted Lee Biblo, Chief Medical Officer at nearby Froedtert Hospital, saying that three male adults had been brought into the operating room in critical condition, with gunshot wounds to abdomen and the face.
Reports later confirmed that one of the men who arrived in critical condition and who had been operated on was the first police officer to arrive on the scene of the gurdwara following multiple “9-1-1” emergency calls. He was said to have taken down the gunman.
By Sunday evening President Barack Obama issued a statement of condolence, saying, “Michelle and I were deeply saddened to learn of the shooting that tragically took so many lives in Wisconsin. At this difficult time, the people of Oak Creek must know that the American people have them in our thoughts and prayers, and our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who were killed and wounded.”
He paid tribute to the Sikh community as an important element in the fabric of American society. He said, “As we mourn this loss which took place at a house of worship, we are reminded how much our country has been enriched by Sikhs, who are a part of our broader American family.”
After a conversation with Oak Creek Mayor Steve Scaffidi and trustee of the Sikh Temple Charanjeet Singh Mr. Obama further promised that the White House would provide “whatever support is necessary to the officials who are responding to this tragic shooting and moving forward with an investigation.”
The Indian Embassy in Washington said that it was "seized of the situation and has been in touch with the National Security Council in Washington, D.C." While the Indian Consulate-General in Chicago too has been in "close touch with the local authorities to monitor the situation," the embassy also noted that an official has been deputed to visit the site "to ascertain the situation on-the-spot."
On Twitter the Indian Ambassador Nirupama Rao noted that U.S. Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman “just telephoned me to express heartfelt condolences on the dastardly and horrible Oak Creek killings.” Ms. Rao also said that India’s Consul from Chicago N.J. Gangte “has reached Milwaukee, [and] will meet families of victims and local Mayor to begin with."
Meanwhile, aerial television footage showed at least one body lying in a parking lot outside the gurdwara, even as breaking news indicated that law enforcement officers “returned fire and [a] shooter was put down.” Unconfirmed reports quoted an unnamed member of the Sikh community saying that a Sikh priest visiting from New Delhi was shot at the scene of the crime.
Chief Bradley Wentlandt of the Greenfield, Wisconsin, police said that “multiple rounds were exchanged and the officer was shot multiple times,” and the shooter was “presumed deceased.” Chief Wentlandt however noted that based on information on police scanners there was still no clear evidence that there were multiple perpetrators.
A few hours later Oak Creek Police Chief John Edwards addressed news conference and said that authorities were treating the shooting as a “domestic terrorist-type incident,” that the investigation into which would be headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Late on Sunday evening the FBI put out statement saying that this “remains an active investigation in its early stages", and while the agency was looking into whether the attack might have been an act of domestic terrorism, “no motive has been determined at this time.”
The agency also said it was working closely with the Oak Creek Police Department and other local and federal agencies to investigate the shooting incident and that the law enforcement community "has been deeply impacted by this incident", particularly by "the officer who was wounded in the line of duty to protect others".
While Mr. Biblo said no women or children had been brought into the hospital yet, Rajwant Singh, Chairman of the Sikh council on Religion and Education in Washington said that women and children may have been among those in the gurdwara at the time of the shooting, generally on site at this time of day to prepare the community meal.
Other local hospitals also reportedly received victims from the shooting incident and a full list of potential victims was not yet available.
One individual who spoke to media outside the gurdwara identified himself as Amardeep Kaleka and said that his father was a Gurdwara official and within the complex at the time of the attack. After seeking refuge in a closet nearby he reportedly said to his son on the phone, “They’re out there.” Mr. Kaleka added that the police informed him that around “26 to 28 people had been shot,” including the head priest who was “bleeding profusely.”
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker issued a statement about the attack in which he said “Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, as we all struggle to comprehend the evil that begets this terrible violence.”
The incident comes scarcely two weeks after at least 12 persons were killed in Aurora, Colorado, at the screening of the latest Batman movie.
After that event both Mr. Obama and his Republican rival in the forthcoming elections, Mitt Romney, were criticised for not bringing up the question of tighter gun control regulation.
In a brief reaction to the shooting Mr. Romney said, “This was a senseless act of violence and a tragedy that should never befall any house of worship. Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and the entire Oak Creek Sikh community.”
Keywords: U.S. gurdwara shooting, Oak Creek Sikh Temple, Milwaukee County Sheriff Department, Froedtert Hospital
This was an unfortunate incident. Such random acts of violence are difficult to predict and as per the details reported by the media there is little that the US Govt could have done to prevent the same. A few weeks ago, a lone gunman randomly shot and killed/inhured many innocent people in a theater in Colorodo. In the US, thanks to politics, gun laws are very lax and almost anyone can easily purchase guns (including assault rifles etc). But the police and the justice system act quickly in such cases of violence.
Till the time a human does not understand the meaning of a humanity above cast,religion and culture these type incidents would be there for long.This Incidents reminds me the killings of the Priest of Ramdassia community in june 2009 at vienna,Austria.which forth lead to disturbance in punjab and neighbouring states.
A death of Human ...is it giving to anything to one who kills someone...??
The Answer might be Yes,A some mental peace for while and a chunck of money.
But before killing someone you are killing yourself,your soul.
Its my humble request, please stop killings of innocents.
Our administrations have to learn the root cause which is hate for the cast and religion,we need to eradicate this to curb these(Killing of people) senseless incidents.
May god gives strength and power to those who lost their beloved ones.
My heartfelt condolences to those injured, killed, and affected by the atttacks. Two thoughts:
1. Unfortunately for US, a small but crazy cult of idiots who use gun violence to gain fame is gripping the country. US MEDIA needs to stop glorifing these idiots and not use thier name. US POLITICIANS need to enact gun control laws.
2. US police in a very small city were VERY IMPRESSIVE in their swift, courageous response. They saved a large amount of lives. Furthermore, they called it terrorism and passed it on to the FBI who is already at the gunmen's house. US Police and Politicians are very good at handling these type of situations, and saying/doing the right thing.
But American authority was very quick and pro-active in dealing with the incident. Compare this with Indian politico-police system, which is inefficient and ineffective. India must learn from USA how to deal with an incident proactively. And India stop playing politics using terrorism as tool. Stop blame games. It is too much to ask from India, as it does not have a democratic govt but controlled by a monarchy.
It is very sad that even in the so called most advanced country of the world, tbere is no religous tolerance and instances like this keep repeating on and off. It is not clear how many gunmen were involved in this masscare and if it was only one who was shot down as claimed by the police, effectively the police had closed the door of investigation and the root cause of the issue could never be established. Surprisingly, there is no hue and cry in US for not making efforts to capture the lone gunman alive to ensure proper and through investigation of the killing of innocent victims and whereas in India all the TV channels and press will blow out of proportion when the police had to resort to ultimate firing to shoot down the criminals and thus save innocent lives. It is hightime, that the US law makers do something about the gun culture prevalent in the country and have some mechanism in place for providing licenses before things really go out of control.
These hate crimes happening now needs to be looked with different glass “the USA under recession", the widening economical gap/prosperity between the senior-settlers/communities/ethnic/religious groups (no/not native Americans) in America and the recent- settlers/communities/ethnic/religious groups.
We have now to express deep sympathy & condole the bereaved families.
The senseless killing depicts sick mindset of humans. The only way to control is by being always ready( the sikh way Tiar by tiar khalsa) or the Israeli way - security check at all the vulnerable points (Markets, plazas or wherever people gather) prior to entry . In Sikh temples and even other denominations the world over volunteers are easily available. All we have to do is to act in a practical way.
When an incident relating to Indians happens in the USA, all the media jumps on the story to get attention. Just last week bunch of indians were burnt alive in a train incident, every day hundreds of Indians lose their lives in their own soil due to political and religious vioience. Focus on your poroblems first. America is fine, their judical system is strong they will bring justice to the victims families. Where as indian Judical system is filled with holes, I bet last weeks train fire incident will go unanswered, and the Indian media won't follow up on that story nor they give a damn. Shame on you.
How many such events will it take for the American govt. to be convinced that firearms need stricter controls in their country?
When an incident relating to Indians happens in the USA, all the media jumps on the story to get attention. Just last week bunch of indians were burnt alive in a train incident, every day hundreds of Indians lose their lives in their own soil due to political and religious vioience. Focus on your poroblems first. America is fine, their judical system is strong they will bring justice to the victims families. Where as indian Judical system is filled with holes, I bet last weeks train fire incident will go unanswered, and the Indian media won't follow up on that story nor they give a damn.
It is very unfortunate incident which took many innocent lives in the indiscriminate shooting done by the terrorists in the USA.It is sad to say that this heinous crime was done in the place of worship.The people who are taking innocent lives are no more human, they are terrorists and terrorists have no heart. Their aim is to kill as many people as possible and breach the harmony among the people of different belief.
This tragic incident shows that the US security personnel are irresponsible and have no such capability to provide security and safety to the citizen.All the officials in the Us are responsible for the same as they are providing arms to the citizen like hot cakes.There should be some provisions to get arms and all. But they cannot do it because they want to take lives and do a dirty politics around the world.
Mr Obama,this time you don't have to turn deaf ear to the incident.The victims must get justice.
It is really disheartening to hear such a terrible news occurring in holy places. May the U.S government take the appropriate steps to identify the persons behind it in U.S. While India better enforce them to let the Indians Live in peace and security all over U.S as the incidences seems to be on the rise since yesteryear.
US citizens must know the difference between the Talibani militants and
Sikh Warriors they are not the same.Glorious Sikh history should be
included in their curriculum.
What else can be expected from the American absurd second amendment guarantee to bear arms, American riffle association extraordinary
political clout and Sarah Palin's “lock and reload” campaign
rhetoric etc.
the real problem in all this is the loneliness...these idiots are half
cracks...they have mind problems and can't stand other people who are
happy. Somehow this is the root cause...mind problems. Next is easy
access to ammunition. One is the cause, the other the means. both have
to be addressed.
Mindsets of people need to be changed in U.S.
@ Srinivasan: Possessing firearms is Second amendment. It cant be easily banished!!! Most Americans consider that as a way to defend themselves from threats (So, 2nd amendment will be there for a while).
American authority is always trying to criticize terrorism around the world especially targeting Muslim groups are unable to confirm the safety and security threat from their own citizens. This tragic incident shows the incapability of the American Authority to curb such incidents as very recently there is a shoot out happened to the theater which take 12 innocent lives. Before trying to policing the world, should try to protect the security and safety of US Citizens first. My heart felt condolence for the family who lost their beloved ones and pray to God Almighty to give strength & patience to stand with this tragic situation.
Unless fire arms are banished these kind of senseless killings will happen again and again. U.S. Congress should seriously think recent killings and bring about a constitution change. Only law enforcement officers should carry fire arms.
Very Sad to hear this news. This world is seemingly developing more
intolerent to other religion/ethinicity/race. A deep introspect is
needed. Intolerence and violence to another religion/ethnicity/race will
not solve the problem, it will grow it to newer level.
Why can't people let other people live their lives? All this killing in America or
anywhere else shows how Homo Sapiens are becoming less and HUMANs and
imitating more and more like animals. If something is not done soon, the doomsday
revealed in our scriptures is not far! And unfortunately, our world leaders have no
idea how to take control of these situation... OR may be they do have ideas, but are
afraid of losing their Offices if they will act.
May GOD have mercy on our souls and these poor people too!!
Such a tragedy! Sad that there was no one to defend against the shooter(s).
Recidivist offenders? Perhaps. We need to put people like this away for a long time.
Early parole, plea bargaining, etc. all contribute to these type of offences. My heart
goes out to those affected.
Oh this is so sad. Our prayers are with the victims.
American gun culture in its violent, neurotic form. It begins at an
early age, many cartoons are violent, as are many music video clips and
hollywood movies. And the US has been practically involved in warfare
since WW II. There seems to be nothing to stop them.
If the same thing would have happen in India that is to USA victims
there would have a great great & great issue.We know and sure also
Indian govt. will only give the promises to put the defaulters behind
bar.But Indian political bureau can do the guard of honor for Warren
Anderson, UCC CEO during the time of the disaster of Bhopal tragedy.Shame on USA & shame on Indian slavery system.We become
Shikhandi of Mahabharata.
Its a sad and disturbing news and paying homages to the people died in this incident. People cmoing from third world countries must realize or know that any one can buy a GUN here if you have DL. Uncontrolled gun cluture can do any damage at any time and any where in USA. Its the poor comes from other countries/nations taking risk of life for dollars.
Very sad. An act of cowardice by the terrorists. All religious places should be made safe all over the world.
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