CHICAGO: At least seven people were shot dead, including a suspected gunman, during a shooting at a Sikh Gurdwara in Wisconsin, local police said.
Greenfield police Chief Brad Wentlandt said authorities do not believe a second shooter is hiding inside the Sikh Gurdwara of Wisconsin in Oak Creek outside Milwaukee, contrary to some media reports.
“At this time, we have not identified any additional gunmen,” Wentlandt told reporters, stressing that the situation was ‘extremely fluid’ and that law enforcement agents were still in the process of securing the scene and accounting for all the victims and witnesses.
Four people were killed inside the Gurdwara and three others outside. Wentlandt said earlier that one suspect had been ‘put down’ outside the Gurdwara after shooting a police officer.
“An officer arrived on the scene, engaged the shooter and was shot multiple times,” Wentlandt told reporters. “That shooter was put down.”
He said the officer was being treated at a local hospital and was expected to survive. Three adult men in critical condition were being treated at Froedtert Hospital, a spokeswoman told AFP.
“We’ve heard the scene is still unfolding, so we’re prepared for more” victims, the hospital’s chief medical officer Lee Biblo told CNN.
Police tactical units were on the scene, along with officers from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The president of the Gurdwara, Satwant Kaleka, was shot and was taken to a hospital, according to The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. It said there were believed to be as many as 20 to 30 victims.
Two shooters with children they may be holding as hostages were still inside the Gurdwara of Wisconsin in Oak Creek outside Milwaukee, according to the newspaper, though police would not confirm the report.
It said the head priest of the Gurdwara, which had a congregation of 350-400 people when it was formally established in 1999, was locked inside a restroom with a cell phone.
Witness Suni Singh said up to four gunmen may be hiding inside the temple since the shooting took place around 10:30 am (1530 GMT).
“My friend called and said ‘I heard the shot, and two people falling down in the parking lot.’
He saw the shooter reloading the gun again,” Singh told Newsradio 620 WTMJ.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 6th, 2012.
COMMENTS (45)
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@Tony Singh: In fact you are facing Taliban-phobia and link every terror activity with Pakistan without any solid evidences and cry over it in the whole world and when the India's turn comes you do nothing and always say that "we don't send any spies in any country and we don't support any terrorism in any country" but the ground realities are different from your these fake,embellished,false and hypocritical statements. Who killed the innocent and sinless Christians in India and burnt the church?They were definitely Hindus........
@Afrasiab Khan: This is happening in your pure land . Imagine what would have happened if the victims were devotees in a Mosque. http://tribune.com.pk/story/418714/ahmadi-charged-with-blasphemy-for-second-time-in-sargodha/
no body is concerned who were killed. Sikhs we're massacred in India crafter Mrs, Gandhi's assassination while did give a damn. most comments from Indians are reflecting their mindset. the are not bothered over innocent Sikhs been killed but deeply ruing the facts that it was mistaken identity and real target were muslims. sorry but hate turns people into monsters.and still we Indians claim to he holier than thou.we are exactly like talibans.... keep denying but truth stands out.
@Saman: There are also Sikhs in Pakistan, but you obviously seem to be unaware of this.
kare koi , bhare koi..
I dont understand why people are giving justification that Pakistan , was not involved in mumbai attacks . It is same as Pakistanis stated that Laden is not staying in Pakistan.
@Ahmer Ali: Stop living in world of make believe dumbo. The people who planned and executed Mumbai attacks are the ones who do it on daily basis in Pakistan. The difference between the USA and Pakistan is that in US they shoot the person who commits the crime in Pakistan they shower them with rose petals!!
I cannot see how anyone could be this cruel... I pray for strength and health for those who got hurt and my condolences go out to those who have lost their loved ones: http://bit.ly/Mtbx7J
@Tony Singh: "In case of Mumbai attacks, the crime was committed in India. The victims were Indians but perpetrators are Pakistanis. Hope you get this." When shall you stop day dreaming,star gazing and playing old blame game against Pakistan in regard of Mumbai attacks whereas you don't have any solid evidences till now to prove this that Mumbai attacks were planned in Pakistan and perpetrators are Pakistanis and moreover the Indian leaders are still not allowing Pakistani investigating officials to meet Ajmal Qasab in regard of Mumabi attacks.Hope you get this dear Tony Singh......
@Afrasiab Khan: I want your reaction... http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/06/us/missouri-mosque-burned/index.html
I don't understand how the US is to take legal action against a person who is dead. This is ridiculous! The USA local, federal and state organizations did EVERYTHING and are continuing to do EVERYTHING in their power to work with the Sikh community. Where was India when THEY killed (in cold blood) Sikhs. There is NO need for the Indian government/people to get involved in a domestic terrorism case. They should focus on keeping Sikhs safe in India. Everything in the US is going well as planned thanks to the sikh coalition, united sikhs, saldef and the american president/government and the FBI/Police services. Being a sikh living in America, I can say that America has done everything to handle this properly and swiftly. Now it's time for India to handle the MASSACRE from '84 which the assailants have yet to be punished.
@Raj: "This is a mistaken identity hate crime. The shooter thought it was a Mosque. Imagine if he had killed six devotees in a Mosque, the demand for US Flags in Pakistan would have been multi fold."
I agree with mistaken identity. Actually the News itself had mentioned mistaken identity when I made a comment. I don't see my comment or mention of mistaken identity, i guess both got deleted.
@Afrasiab Khan: " So, If they were Muslims It would be OK for you. That’s what I refer here to this Majority" I said it was a HATE CRIME and MISTAKEN IDENTITY. I never said that if MUSLIMS were his victims, it would be OK. Do not put words in my mouth. I simply asked the readers what would have been the reaction in Pakistan if the devotees were in a Mosque. Do you think, this is last attack by terrorists. There will be attacks in the future on innocent people. Muslims should analyse the peaceful reaction by Sikhs and hence amend their hate towards India and the West. I participated in a Radio Talk show last night and reiterated that some Muslims were responsible for 9/11 and NOT all the Muslims should be target of HATE CRIME. Since Muslims are targets of hate crime in America, ( which they should NOT be due actions of a few Muslims) its the Sikhs who pay the price for mistaken identity. BTW the whole world knows what would have happened in Pakistan if this madman had killed six devotees in a Mosque.
No body has answered what would have happened in Pakistan if six devotees were killed in a Mosque by this mad man. Afrasiab Khan should be given a Nobel Peace Prize for discovering that Hindus have terrorist mind set. After Water Car Discovery and Discovery of Hindus Have Terrorist Mind Set, I have become a great fan Pakistan and religion of peace.
According to the Independent (of UK) website: "In July, a Wisconsin State Representative, Josh Zepnick, had visited the Temple with to discuss what he called “public safety” issues with the Sikh community. A news release he issued immediately after the meeting observed that, in the US, Sikhs are often confused with Muslims." This appears to be a problem in US. In UK majority of people know the difference and have alot of respect for them - just like the Gurkhas. When the investigations are over, I would not be surprised if the Sikhs in this case were mistaken for Muslims.
News Update:strong text
The man authorities say killed six in a Milwaukee-area Sikh temple before police shot him was a heavily-tattooed, 40-year-old ex-Army soldier Sources identified the dead suspect as Wade Michael Page, who was at one time attached to the Fort Bragg Army installation in North Carolina.
When ignorance is eradicated, killings will stop. It is going to be a very long time before we get there.
Humanity as a whole is becoming dumber every day.
deepest sympathies for the victims & their families.The ones who make stupendous comments out of every news possible, against Pakistan or Muslims or any other religion, should buzz off & take care of their psychological issues! see a PSYCHIATRIST!
@Ahmer Ali: "No doubt this is the saddened event but the this question rises here that shall India demand USA the killers to hand over India as India was demanding Pakistan to hand over India the muslims in the Indian leadership’s eyes accused of attacks in India???????" Do you have brains? The crime occurred in USA, the citizens were of USA and the perpetrator of the crime was also a US citizen. What Indians have got to do with it? In case of Mumbai attacks, the crime was committed in India. The victims were Indians but perpetrators are Pakistanis. Hope you get this.
@Prabhjyot Singh Madan
He didn't criticize the religion, he criticized the mentality of hindhu Indians. Majority of Pakistanis want peace as proven by a recent survey, yet comments by Indian on this website proves it that Indians are not as innocent as the world media would like to think. Pakistan gets all the blame for this rivalry, yet Indian comments here prove otherwise. Users like gp65, Raj etc, spare no opportunity to vent out their hatred for Pakistan and Pakistanis. I mean what's the point of criticizing Pakistanis on a tragic event like this? After reading this news, we should suppress our inner hatred instead of venting it out further.
P.S: Before anyone of you accuse me of being a Mullah, I actually admire liberal ideology more than the conservative one. Regards.
@Afrasiab Khan: Please don't bring religion into this. We are proud Indians. Raj is a exception in a population of 1.2,billion people. We are a majority in east Punjab..Give peace a chance.
Very depressing !!! Whether they are Sikhs like us or Muslims, we are all human beings . Waheguru give sense to the demented killer. Heart felt condolences to the victims families.
@Afrasiab Khan. Internet ensures anonymity. You would not know if this "Raj" is a false flager.
Inadvertently, you displayed the animosity you had towards "Hindus". The funny part is you did what you accused "Raj" of doing, prejudice against a community.
@Raj: Raj, You are a sick man., That reveals Your Low Life Hindu mentality and Hatred towards Muslims is which majority Hindu Masses Posses in India. Instead of Condoling Sikhs for this Terrorists Attack in the USA and Condemning the attack and the terrorist, You, sick man, you are Justifying the attack and that the Terrorist had made a mistaken with Identity? So, If they were Muslims It would be OK for you. That's what I refer here to this Majority Terrorist Hindu Mindset which is the biggest hurdle in having your state good relationship with all its neighbor.Shame on you. On this forum you are the only terrorist. Always remember , Next can be your Own Hindu Community. Therefore, Should everyone cheer up that IF Your Hindu community got blasted in USA by a local terrorist ? Because that's what you are exactly asking everyone to do for you.
@Zeta: "Will the US authority call this a terrorist attack or just madman with a gun?"
US has called it domestic terrorism. Also the gunman has alrady been shot dead.@supersequel "I love America and the freedom she offers to all of her peoples but imagine if the headline was “7 DEAD AT SIKH SHOOTING IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN.” Media would go on frenzy and attribute it to “pakistani religious mindset” and “failed system” "
And you know why? Because such crimes are an exception. And when they DO occur, they are not tolerated in Western countries. A SIkh man was killed in the aftermath of 9/11 by a White Man. That white man has been executed. This gunman has also been shot dead. In UK the people who were responsible for London riots (where 3 Muslims died) are also convicted. In Pakistan, terrorists - especially those that kill people of other faith are neither killed nor convicted. Furthermore, there has not been an instance of American going no another country and killing people there. When it comes to Pakistan - it is not just India but China, Afghanistan, Iran, UK - all have been victims of terror export from Pakistan.
@Zeta: US has already acknowledged it a Domestic Terrorism.
This looks like a hate crime by a while male about 30 years old. At least this terrorist was killed by police and not let him escape. Several Sikhs were killed after 9/11 attacks as the hate mongers thought they were Muslims. Currently nobody knows the real motives of the killer. Many local hate the new immigrants and the mushrooming of their presence particularly new places of worship. Anyway, the hate crime is based upon hate whether based on color, culture, religion or national origin. What a sad story, my heart goes to the victim’s families. How people find time to hate when life is too short to love?
What is going on in this world? Killings, killings and more killings. Color, caste, creed and cult. No tolerance. No love. All hatred. Only yesterday, the world observed the 67th death anniversary of the Hiroshima holocaust and another is due on August 08 2012 for Nagasaki. Thousands of Sikhs come on an annual pilgrimage to Hasan Abdal in Pakistan. They get love, respect, and all facilities. After their rituals, they go back to India and come back year after year. Going back in history to cause of the present problems will not solve anything, especially if politicians are tasked to it. Let the civilians take the matter to heart and hand. Salams
Religious & Ethnic intolerance should be treated as grievous crime.. It's a shame on humanity..
Will the US authority call this a terrorist attack or just madman with a gun?
What has this news got to do with Pakistan? Sikhs are Indians and If all unrelated foreign news were to be published in local newspaper, what is the point of reading local news sites and not US sites directly.
This is a mistaken identity hate crime. The shooter thought it was a Mosque. Imagine if he had killed six devotees in a Mosque, the demand for US Flags in Pakistan would have been multi fold.
Very shocking and tragic incident.Fanatics are a danger for humanity at large.We extend our feelings of sympathy for sikh community in USA.
It is always the lone gunmen despite multiple reported by witnesses in nearly all the shooting spree.
And I heard US of A was giving travel advisories to her citizens not to go to Pakistan!
It's so sad to see so much violence all over the world. There was mass murder in Colorado US at a cinema recently and now this. Not to mention all the killings in Syria, Yemen, Nigeria and everywhere. Even in Toronto where I live there were shootings at a neighborhood party killing tow last month. Where is it safe in the world?
I love America and the freedom she offers to all of her peoples but imagine if the headline was "7 DEAD AT SIKH SHOOTING IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN." Media would go on frenzy and attribute it to "pakistani religious mindset" and "failed system" whereas, in this case, this is attributed to "hate crime." I guess if it happens in the west, it will always be a "HATE CRIME" whereas in the muslim nations "terrorism," "muslim fanatics" and etc.
Very sad incident. God bless our Punjabi nation.
There is no hostage situation. There was only one shooter which has been killed by the first responder police officer despite been shots multiple time by the shooter. All prays goes to slain innocent people and injured. The Muslim community of Milwaukee is taking extra precaution tonight for our daily taraweeh prayers and local law enforcement deploying extra patrol car to local Masjid.
I honestly hope to God no Muslim/ Pakistani is involved in this. I would beat the crap out of him if i could. For God sake, let people do what they want, whoever appointed these murders to be judge of what people do or look like. My wishes to victims of this cowardly act.
Results of extremism no matter what religion you belong to and spreading because of hardliner, fanatic religious leaders who preach hate in churches, mosques, temples and their seminaries to feed the young minds for hatred of others.