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| Gunman, six others dead at Wisconsin Sikh temple | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: 6 Aug 2012, 01:13 AM (154 Views) | |
| skibboy | 6 Aug 2012, 01:13 AM Post #1 |
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Gunman, six others dead at Wisconsin Sikh temple By the CNN Wire Staff August 5, 2012 -- Updated 2354 GMT ![]() Oak Creek, Wisconsin (CNN) -- The FBI will investigate Sunday's rampage at a Sikh temple in a Milwaukee suburb as a "domestic terrorist-type incident" that left at least six people and the gunman dead, the town's police chief said. Another three people were wounded, including the first officer to respond to the scene, Oak Creek Police Chief John Edwards said. A second officer returned fire, killing the suspect, Edwards said. All three of the wounded were in critical condition at Milwaukee's Froedtert Hospital, spokeswoman Carolyn Bellin told CNN. The congregation's president was among the wounded, his nephew said. 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?" Police had no information to release about the gunman, Edwards said. "That is being checked into and is part of the criminal investigation," he said. Nor would he disclose specifics of why the attack was being classified as an act of domestic terrorism. The Sikh religion originated in northern India around 1500 and has about 25 million followers, 700,000 of them in the United States, according to the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund. Because of their customary beards and turbans, Sikh men are often confused for Hindus or Muslims -- and have been the targets of hate crimes since the September 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington, said Surinder Singh, a spokesman for the Guru Nanak Mission Society of Atlanta. "We were the victims of mistaken identity, and a few Sikhs were gunned down during that time," Singh said. A Sikh man was killed in Phoenix in apparent retaliation for the attacks that had been carried out by the Islamic terrorist group al Qaeda, and Singh said the entire Sikh community "will be kind of scared" following Sunday's killings. The attack occurred about 10:30 a.m. (11:30 a.m. ET), when temple members were reading scriptures and cooking food in preparation for the main Sunday service and community lunch, said Kanwardeep Singh Kaleka, a member of the congregation and the nephew of its president. 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." "It seems the few casualties that have been divulged to me have been the equivalent of priests, the holy leaders of our people," he said. "My uncle is one of the administrators of the temple. It's mainly those individuals who have been targeted or shot. Maybe it's because the ladies were fortunate enough to dodge it out, but so far most of the people I've heard have been shot and killed were all turbaned males." Police were searching the suspect's home, "a short distance" from the temple, on Sunday evening, according to a law enforcement source with direct knowledge of the investigation. A single semi-automatic pistol believed to have been used by the gunman was found at the scene, along with the wounded officer's weapon, the source said. Initial reports were that there may have been multiple attackers, but police found no indication of another gunman involved, said Bradley Wentlandt, the police chief in nearby Greenfield. The Oak Creek temple, or gurdwara, opened in 2007 and has a congregation of more than 350. Family members gathered outside told WTMJ that survivors were being taken to a nearby bowling alley for questioning. "Our dear ones and near ones are injured and hurt, and we are trying to find out what happened," said Darshan Dhaliwal, another congregation leader. Congregation president Satwant Kaleka was shot and wounded when he attempted to tackle the gunman, his son, Amardeep Kaleka told WTMJ. His mother -- who hid in a closet during the violence -- was too distraught to talk, he said. State Rep. Josh Zepnick said many of the Milwaukee area's Sikh community are among his constituents and described himself as being "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 WTMJ. And state Rep. Mark Honadel, whose district includes the temple, 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," Honadel said. The American branch of the World Sikh Council, meanwhile, said Sunday was "a troubling day, not only for Sikh-Americans, but also for all Americans." "We urge all to pray for the victims, their families and friends, and the surrounding community," the group said. "We also express our gratitude towards the law enforcement authorities for their prompt and effective response to the situation as it unfolded. We offer our appreciation for the bravery of the police officer shot, offer condolences, and pray that he will recover fully soon." And top state and national political leaders offered statements of condolence after the killings, which came two weeks after a massacre at a Colorado movie theater that left 12 dead and dozens more wounded. "Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, as we all struggle to comprehend the evil that begets this terrible violence," Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said in a statement issued by his office. "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." In a statement from the White House, President Barack Obama said the United States had been "enriched" by Sikhs, "who are a part of our broader American family." "My administration will provide whatever support is necessary to the officials who are responding to this tragic shooting and moving forward with an investigation," Obama said. And from Boston, Obama's presumptive Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, called the slayings "a senseless act of violence and a tragedy that should never befall any house of worship." He said the hearts of he and his wife, Ann, "are with the victims, their families, and the entire Oak Creek Sikh community." CNN's Ted Rowlands, Marlena Baldacci, Matt Smith, Steve Almasy and Susan Candiotti contributed to this report. source:
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| skibboy | 7 Aug 2012, 02:47 AM Post #2 |
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Temple shooting 'home terror act' 06/08/2012 ![]() Terrified worshippers hid in cupboards and others desperately texted friends outside for help as a man gunned down killed six people in a deadly rampage at a Sikh temple. The gunman was later killed outside the Wisconsin temple in a shoot-out with police. Police in Oak Creek, a suburb of Milwaukee, called yesterday’s attack an act of domestic terrorism, but did not provide any details about the gunman or suggest a possible motive. Police Chief John Edwards did not say whether the attacker specifically targeted the Sikh community. Teresa Carlson, special agent in charge with the FBI's Milwaukee division, said today: "While the FBI is investigating whether this matter might be an act of domestic terrorism, no motive has been determined at this time.'' During a chaotic few hours after the first shots were fired, police in tactical gear armed with assault rifles surrounded the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin with armoured vehicles and ambulances. At one point witnesses feared several gunmen were holding women and children hostage inside. One of the first officers to respond to frantic emergency calls seeking help was shot several times as he tended to a wounded victim and was in a critical condition, along with two other victims, authorities said. “We never thought this could happen to our community,” said Devendar Nagra, 48, whose sister escaped injury by hiding as the gunman opened fire in the temple’s kitchen. “We never did anything wrong to anyone.” Mr Edwards said the FBI would lead the investigation because the shootings were being treated as domestic terrorism, or an attack that originated inside the US. He said authorities would not say any more about their investigation until later today, including the names of those killed. But it appeared the investigation had moved beyond the temple, as police and federal agents swarmed a neighbourhood in nearby Cudahy, evacuating several homes and sealing off four blocks around a house. FBI agents were on the scene with an armoured truck and other vehicles. Milwaukee County sheriff’s spokeswoman Fran McLaughlin said the department’s bomb squad also was on the scene, though she had no details about why the unit had been called. Jatinder Mangat, 38, said his uncle Satwant Singh Kaleka, the temple’s president, was one of those shot at the temple. When he later learned people had died, Mr Mangat said “it was like the heart just sat down.” “This shouldn’t happen anywhere,” he said. Mr Edwards said the gunman “ambushed” one of the first officers to arrive at the temple as the officer, a 20-year veteran with tactical experience, tended to a victim outside. A second officer then exchanged gunfire with the suspect, who was fatally wounded. Tactical units went through the temple and found four people dead inside and two outside, in addition to the gunman. The three wounded were being treated at an area trauma centre. Greenfield police chief Bradley Wentlandt, who assisted the investigation, said the police officer had surgery and was expected to survive. Gurpreet Kaur, 24, said her mother and a group of about 14 other women were preparing a meal in the temple kitchen when the gunman entered and started firing. Ms Kaur said her mother felt two bullets fly by as the group fled to the pantry. Her mother suffered what Kaur thought was shrapnel wound in her foot. “These are people I’ve grown up with,” she said. “They’re like aunts and uncles to me. To see our community to go through something like this is numbing.” President Barack Obama said he and his wife Michelle were "deeply saddened'' by the killings and promised his administration would provide ``whatever support is necessary'' to those investigating the shooting. “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,” Mr Obama said in a statement issued by the White House. “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.” Mitt Romney, the likely Republican challenger for the US presidency, 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. We join Americans everywhere in mourning those who lost their lives and in prayer for healing in the difficult days ahead.” Many Sikhs in the US worship on Sundays at a temple, or gurdwara, and a typical service consists of meditation and singing in a prayer room where worshippers remove their shoes and sit on the floor. Worshippers gather afterwards for a meal that is open to community members, regardless of their religious beliefs. Sikhism is a monotheistic faith founded more than 500 years ago in south Asia, with about 27 million followers worldwide. Observant Sikhs do not cut their hair; male followers often cover their heads with turbans – which are considered sacred – and refrain from shaving their beards. There are about 500,000 Sikhs in the US, according to estimates. The majority worldwide live in India. Sikh groups have reported a rise in hate attacks since the September 11 2001 terrorist atrocity. The Washington-based Sikh Coalition has reported more than 700 incidents in the US since 9/11, which advocates blame on anti-Islamic sentiment. Sikhs do not practise the same religion as Muslims, but their long beards and turbans often cause them to be mistaken for Muslims, advocates say. Police in New York and Chicago issued statements saying they were giving Sikh temples in those cities additional attention as a precaution after the shooting, which comes two weeks after a gunman killed 12 people at a cinema in Colorado. source:
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9:38 AM Jul 11