Sikhs Killed in USA Terror Attack on Sikh Gurdwara (place of worship)

Dr. Harcharan Gill, who was at the scene said, “The police response was quick but the paramedic team waited for almost two hours to go inside the Gurdwara building,  sensing the possibility of another shooter, which was not the case. The community is in deep shock, we never thought that this could have happened with us.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• As of now, 6 Sikhs and the gunman have been confirmed dead with multiple wounded (at least 2 dozen).UNITED SIKHS has executed the following actions:
• Set up a Task Force to work with law enforcement agencies in the USA to ensure that the Sikh community is reassured of its safety
• Extended our National Helpline at 1-855-US-UMEED for the Wisconsin Gurdwara incident victims
• Called on the Sikh community to be vigilant and to step up security without causing an alarm but by being on alert.
• Called on the interfaith community to show solidarity by holding prayer vigils in places of worship
• Mobilized the UNITED SIKHS Emergency Response Team which is on its way to Wisconsin..

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, 5th Aug 2012 – UNITED SIKHS strongly condemns the shooting of innocent Sikhs attending a morning prayer service today at a Gurdwara (place of worship) in the Milwaukee suburb of Oak Creek. This is very disturbing news for the entire Sikh American Community and the Sikh diaspora worldwide. The incident has been labeled as a well organized crime of terror. Reports suggest that the initial perpetrator was a heavy build, bald, white male who had two handguns and started shooting at the devotees indiscriminately in the Gurdwara parking lot as they were heading for the morning service.

The gunman also shot a police officer attending to the crime scene, multiple times. Reports also suggest of children and the head priest being held as hostage inside the temple premises. Multiple people have been shot and the number of fatalities as of now, including one gunman, are seven. There are reports of bodies lying in the temple parking lot.

We request community members to stay alert and inform law enforcement agencies and UNITED SIKHS about any suspicious activity. We are in constant touch with the White House, the DOJ, FBI and local law enforcement. We have received the following message from the White House:

“The President was alerted to the shooting incident in Wisconsin at 12:51PM Eastern and continues to be updated by federal law enforcement agencies.  We will keep you posted.”

As of now 6 Sikhs are confirmed dead:  1 Kathavachak (spiritual discourse giver), 2 sewadars (helpers) at the Gurdwara (place of worship), one woman, one old gentleman, and the  identity of another is unknown. The single gunman is also confirmed dead.

“This act of terror has left the community in shock and we are counting on law enforcement agencies to make a statement soon to reassure the community,” said Manwinder Singh, UNITED SIKHS community advocacy director.

We will keep you updated on the latest developments.  Let’s pray together for the innocent victims in this hour of crisis.

Issued by:
Jatinder Singh
Director
UNITED SIKHS
P: 1-510-421-0538 | 1-888-243-1690 | 1-646-688-3525
unitedsikhs-usa@unitedsikhs.org

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