May 29, 2021
New York, NY
 
UNITED SIKHS extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims.  
On May 26, 2021, nine people employed at the VTA rail yard were murdered by a co-worker.  The victims were Michael Rudometkin, 40, Paul Delacruz Megia, 42; Taptejdeep Singh, 36; Adrian Balleza, 29; Jose Dejesus Hernandez III, 35; Timothy Michael Romo, 49; Abdolvahab Alaghmandan, 63; Lars Kepler Lane, 63 and Alex Ward Fritch, 49.  
The events of this mass murder are still being investigated and the motive of the gunman remains unknown.  Some sources have stated that the gunman suffered from mental health problems.  Others stated that the gunman was often angry and expressed hatred for his coworkers.  For whatever reason, the gunman acted on his hatred and murdered nine of his coworkers.  One of his coworkers was Taptejdeep Singh.  
According to Kuljinder Bhath, Taptejdeep’s cousin, who also worked at the VTA Railway, Taptejdeep died while trying to save the lives of others in the building.  According to a witness, upon hearing the gun violence, Taptejdeep leapt into action to alert his coworkers about the active shooter.  It appears that while trying to help others find safety, Taptejdeep encountered the gunman in a stairwell and was murdered.
According to the New York Times, there have been at least 232 mass shootings this year.  With this latest, mass shooting at the VTA rail yard, the Gun Violence Archive that defines mass murders as gun violence that results in the death of four or more people, at least 15 of these mass shootings have been mass murders.  It is clear that there is a serious gun violence problem in this country.  This country is not a war zone.  It shouldn’t be that going to work or school or to get groceries should lead to an untimely death as a result of gun violence. 
UNITED SIKHS renews its calls to Congress and the Executive branches at the state and federal levels to take action to protect its people from gun violence.  Additionally healthcare must also be expanded to include meaningful mental healthcare for all who need it.  Most people who suffer from mental illnesses are not violent, but for people who fear committing violence or if others are concerned about the potential for violence of others, there should be help available.  UNITED SIKHS is also in contact with the Department of Justice, Community Relations Service to support the victims, their families, and the community.
 
Eva Landeo
Media and Development Coordinator