Gunman, six others dead at Wisconsin Sikh temple

[Penny Lane 8,159]

(CNN) -- At least seven people, including a gunman shot by a police officer, have been killed in an attack on worshippers at a Sikh temple in the Milwaukee suburb of Oak Creek, Wisconsin, on Sunday, police said.

The officer was wounded but "returned fire, and that shooter was put down," said Bradley Wentlandt, the police chief in nearby Greenfield, who briefed reporters. Investigators who picked through the building afterward found four bodies inside the temple and two other victims outside, plus the gunman, Wentlandt said.

At least three wounded, including the officer, were being treated at Milwaukee's Froedtert Hospital, spokeswoman Carolyn Bellin told CNN. All three were in critical condition.

Family members gathered outside the temple, or gurdwara, told CNN affilliate WTMJ that survivors were being taken to a nearby bowling alley for questioning. Amardeep Kaleka said his father, congregation president Satwant Kaleka, was shot and wounded when he attempted to tackle the gunman, and his mother -- who hid in a closet during the violence -- was too distraught to talk.

And Darshan Dhaliwal, another of the gurdwara's leaders, said Sunday afternoon he wasn't sure how many were hurt.

"Our dear ones and near ones are injured and hurt, and we are trying to find out what happened," Dhaliwal told WTMJ.

And another man told the station, "Nobody's angry here. We're just confused. Was this a random act? Was this directed at us because of the way we look?"

The Sikh religion originated in northern India in the early 1500s. Sikh men are identifiable by their beards and turbans, but often confused for Hindus or Muslims. There are roughly 25 million Sikhs in the world, 700,000 of whom live in the United States, according to the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund.

The Oak Creek gurdwara has a congregation of 250 to 400, according to its website.

"I just want to say this temple was built a number of years ago and there have never been any problems with this temple," Oak Creek Alderman Dan Jakubczyk said. "They've been a plus to this city and to my district."

Though early reports had suggested there may have been more than one attacker, Wentlandt said officers had not identified any other gunmen. As the search went on, utility crews cut electric and gas service to the building at the request of authorities, said Cathy Schulze, a spokeswoman for area utility We Energies.

The police officer wounded in the assault is a 20-year veteran who was shot multiple times, Wentlandt said, but he was expected to survive. The officer was sent to the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek, south of Milwaukee, after a 911 call about 10:25 a.m. (11:25 a.m. ET).

State Rep. Josh Zepnick, who represents much of the Milwaukee area's Sikh community, said he was "torn to shreds" by the attack.

"It's a very peace-loving community that has successfully integrated and assimilated into the metropolitan Milwaukee area," Zepnick told CNN afilliate WTMJ.

And state Rep. Mark Honadel, who represents the area, called the attack "craziness."

"Unfortunately, when this type of stuff hits your area, you say to yourself, 'Why?' But in today's society, I don't think there's any place that's free from idiots."

Source

Edited August 5, 2012 by Evylin

[ready4ONE 5,400]

Sad news. Indeed there is no place free from idiots.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Tragedy for sure. And I am sure unwarranted.

Edited August 5, 2012 by The Patriot

[Nooblord 10]

I can't overlook the possibility that this was some dumb hillbillly who couldn't tell the difference between Sikh and Muslims, and this was most likely a hate crime.

[X Factor 1,112]

We can have our suspicions what this looks like but if we wait the facts will come out. I feel for the victims and family of this tragedy.

Edited August 5, 2012 by kennard

[Ban Hammer 13,555]

I can't overlook the possibility that this was some dumb hillbillly who couldn't tell the difference between Sikh and Muslims, and this was most likely a hate crime.

because hillbilly's are the only ones to shoot people.

[X Factor 1,112]

The last time that Sikhs were religiously targeted in USA was right after 9/11 because some thought that they were muslims.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

because hillbilly's are the only ones to shoot people.

It must have something to do with the banjo music.

Another tragedy with more innocent people murdered. Sadly, it has become quite common.

Edited August 5, 2012 by spookyturtle

[Danno 1,228]

I can't overlook the possibility that this was some dumb hillbillly who couldn't tell the difference between Sikh and Muslims, and this was most likely a hate crime.

OF all the wild speculative "possibilities"... how did you settle on that one?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

It must have something to do with the banjo music.

Another tragedy with more innocent people murdered. Sadly, it has become quite common.

If it was that common, it wouldn't be news anymore.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/sweeping-gang-murder-case-to-wrap-up-in-montgomery-county/2012/08/05/0e1d04da-dcd1-11e1-8e43-4a3c4375504a_story.html

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/four-teens-shot-in-bootle-merseyside-1223659

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/LR-saw-most-murders-in-a-month-in-July-since-1993-3764314.php

http://www.montereyherald.com/ci_21239352/recent-soledad-killings-may-have-been-ordered-from?source=most_viewed

http://www.yumasun.com/news/gangs-80802-gang-yuma.html

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20120805_Camden_tries_to_strike_back_against_rising_violence.html

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

OF all the wild speculative "possibilities"... how did you settle on that one?

My first inclination is an internal conflict.

Okay not true, I first thought about Pakistan and India and perhaps that is playing out here...then I assumed I'm over thinking and THEN thought of the internal temple conflict....

[^_^ 5,021]

My first inclination is an internal conflict.

Okay not true, I first thought about Pakistan and India and perhaps that is playing out here...then I assumed I'm over thinking and THEN thought of the internal temple conflict....

My first thought was an internal conflict in the temple. It happens a lot with Sikhs. Usually just fistfights with the occassionalknife though.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

My first thought was an internal conflict in the temple. It happens a lot with Sikhs. Usually just fistfights with the occassionalknife though.

Since they all carry knives, or swords with them 24/7 as part of their religion, I am impressed that it doesn't happen more often.

Edited August 6, 2012 by The Patriot

[^_^ 5,021]

Since they all carry knives, or swords with them 24/7 as part of their religion, I am impressed that it doesn't happen more often.

All but members of the most orthodox temples carry kirpans that couldn't cut a cucumber. Blunted on purpose. Purely ceremonial.

And the vast majority don't carry 24/7 anymore. It's not exactly welcome in most places anymore, not even in Indian Punjab.

Edited August 6, 2012 by Habitual Offender

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Do they have to be licensed to carry?