Sikh Temple Shooting; 7 Dead Oak Creek, Wisconsin

[LOVE SONGS]

A man wipes away tears on Sunday outside the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wis.

Shooting at Sikh temple: 7 dead, including suspected gunman,

At least seven people were killed, including the suspected gunman, in a mass shooting at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wis., south of Milwaukee on Sunday.

According to police, 911 dispatchers received multiple calls from the temple at approximately 10:25 a.m. local time. An officer who responded to the scene was treating a victim when he was "ambushed" by the suspected gunman in the parking lot, police said. The veteran officer was shot multiple times and is in surgery at Milwaukee's Froedtert Hospital, according to Oak Creek Police Chief John Edwards. His condition is not known.

The suspect was shot and killed by a second officer, police said. The gunman was not identified, and no motive was released.

Tactical units conducting a sweep of the 17,000-square-foot temple discovered four bodies inside and three—including the gunman—in the parking lot. There were initial, unconfirmed reports of multiple shooters and a hostage situation, though police said they believe there was just one gunman.

A spokesman for Froedtert Hospital said a total of three victims were admitted in critical condition—two with gunshot wounds to the face and one with gunshot wounds to the abdomen. Other area hospitals were initially told to prepare for as many as 20 victims.

Law enforcement officials are treating the case as a "domestic terrorist incident," police said, and the FBI is leading the investigation. The names of the victims in Sunday's shooting were not released.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Satwant Kaleka, the president of the temple, was one of the victims taken to Froedtert Hospital, according to his nephew, Gurmit Kaleka.

Dozens of worshipers, including women and children, were gathering for a meal before an 11:30 a.m. prayer service at the temple, or gurdwara, when the shooting occurred. There are about 500 members in the congregation, officials said.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as worshipers reportedly hid inside closets within the building after the gunman opened fire inside.

President Barack Obama was notified of the shooting shortly before 1 p.m. (ET) by chief counterterrorism adviser John Brennan, a senior administration official told Yahoo News.

"Michelle and I were deeply saddened to learn of the shooting that tragically took so many lives in Wisconsin," Obama said. "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. My administration will provide whatever support is necessary to the officials who are responding to this tragic shooting and moving forward with an investigation. 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 released a statement, too. "This was a senseless act of violence and a tragedy that should never befall any house of worship," Romney said. "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."

In a statement, Wis. Gov. Scott Walker said his office is working with the FBI and local law enforcement in its investigation.

"Our hearts go out to the victims and their families as we all struggle to comprehend the evil that begets this terrible violence," Walker said. "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."

The Indian Embassy in Washington called it a "tragic incident" and said it has been in touch with the National Security Council and local authorities to monitor the situation. According to ABC News, federal agents from the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms bureau were sent to the scene of the shooting.

Sunday's shooting comes less than a month after the Aurora, Colo., theater massacre, when 12 people were killed and 58 wounded during a midnight screening of "Dark Knight Rises."

Sikhism is a 500-year-old monotheist faith with about 27 million followers worldwide, including about 300,000 in the United States.

Since 9/11, Sikh groups in the United States have reported a rise in bias attacks. There have been more than 700 reports of hate-related incidents against Sikhs since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, according to the Associated Press. "Sikhs don't practice the same religion as Muslims," the AP noted, "but their long beards and turbans often cause them to be mistaken for Muslims, advocates say."

In the wake of the shooting in Wisconsin, law enforcement officials in other cities, including New York City, increased patrols near Sikh temples on Sunday. However, there is no known threat against Sikh temples in New York, the NYPD said.

Law enforcement officials are treating the case as an "act of domestic terrorism."

About the gunman....

the gunman as tall male with what appeared to be a "9/11 tattoo." Officials told NBC the suspect, who served in the U.S. Army, had many tattoos.

Seven dead in shooting at Sikh temple

[LOVE SONGS]

I never heard of this religion. It seems like it is some Guru type religion.Don't know , but they cover their heads and go barefoot.

That is all I could research.

Nevertheless... it is horrible ...people being killed in a place of their worship.

Makes me think about going to church again.

[other one]

Well, obviously I can't go along with their religion, but as a people, from everything I've read and heard, they really are a peaceful moral bunch that we could learn from in how to treat each other..

[ayin jade]

You may remember right after 9/11, in arizona, some "person" (I am generoius in using that word instead of what I really think of him) decided to take revenge and murdered a peaceful hard working sikh at the business he owned.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Balbir_Singh_Sodhi

Very tragic. Sikhs seem to be nice folks for the most part, yet sadly are lost and still need Jesus. I feel badly for the folks murdered and those who love them.

[The_Patriot21]

it really doesn't matter what religion they are, theres no call for senseless violence like this. None whatsoever.

[Burning_Ember]

Police are calling this domestic terrorism.

[LOVE SONGS]

it really doesn't matter what religion they are, theres no call for senseless violence like this. None whatsoever.

yeah...you are right... senseless .

What will we have to do when we enter a building ...look for 2 or 3 exits.

They mentioned for us to do this on the news ,for what happened in Colorado.

[Burning_Ember]

The shooter was Wade Michael Page, who received a less than honorable discharge from the army and was a White SUpremacist. He was a Neo-Nazi Band Leader. The Southern Poverty Law Center had a file on him.

Some eyewitnesses say four people were involved in the attack. We're very fortunate that the only gun used (as best we can tell so far) was a 9mm Pistol, otherwise the death toll would be far higher.

[Guest shiloh357]

I don't know if this comes up with domestic terrorism yet, but it is a horrific act of hate. He had skin-head tattoos. He was pure evil. Skin head views are born of hell. Sikh's are a peaceful people and have never harmed anyone. My prayers are with the survivors and the families of all of the victims.

[LOVE SONGS]

Wow ...That is horrible... 4 people involved ?

They must have arrested the other 3...because they shot one of the gunman.