Lone Gunman Kills 6 At Sikh Temple In Wisconsin

[News_Editor]

Lone gunman kills 6 at Sikh temple in Wisconsin < br />

2012-08-06 09:52:26 GMT+7 (ICT)

OAK CREEK, WISCONSIN (BNO NEWS) -- A lone gunman opened fire Sunday at a Sikh temple in southeast Wisconsin, killing six people before being shot dead by a police officer, officials said. Authorities are treating the incident as a possible act of domestic terrorism.

The incident began at around 10:25 a.m. local time when a gunman, armed with a 9 mm semi-automatic gun, walked into a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, a suburb of Milwaukee, and opened fire at worshippers just before Sunday services were to begin. Dozens of people were inside, including children.

Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Fran McLaughlin said the first 911 call came in at 10:26 a.m. local time, after which local police officers and a SWAT team responded.

"Our officers responded to the scene, did find a victim and were dealing with that individual when our officer, a 20-year veteran, was ambushed [and] shot multiple times," said Oak Creek Police Chief John Edwards. "Another officer who was on scene was [also] engaged by the suspect [and] our officer did engage that individual, and that individual is deceased from the action that our officer took."

Edwards said seven people were killed, including the gunman, four victims who were found inside the temple and two victims whose bodies were found outside the building. Three people were also critically injured, including the Oak Creek police officer who was shot by the gunman.

The injured victims were rushed to Froedtert Hospital, where they remained in a critical condition on late Sunday. "They are all victims of gunshot wounds," said Lee Biblo, chief medical officer at the hospital. "One suffered injuries to the abdomen and chest. One suffered injuries to the extremities and face. One suffered injures to the neck."

Biblo said two of the patients have undergone surgery and one patient was undergoing a 'complex procedure' on late Sunday. He gave no other details about the nature of their injuries or if any were in a life-threatening condition, but Edwards said the injured police officer is expected to recover.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) described the gunman as a white male in his 40s, but gave no other details. A witness told CNN the gunman had a tattoo marking the September 11 terrorist attacks, but authorities were unable to confirm those claims. The identity of the suspect was not immediately released.

"The FBI is working closely with the Oak Creek Police Department and other local and federal agencies to investigate today's shooting incident," said Teresa Carlson, Special Agent in Charge at the FBI's Milwaukee Division. "This remains an active investigation in its early stages. While the FBI is investigating whether this matter might be an act of domestic terrorism, no motive has been determined at this time."

Edwards also said the attack is being treated as a domestic terrorist-type incident, but gave no other details. "Domestic terrorism is somebody who is doing some active terrorism within the confines of the United States," he said. "It is not from another country or anything like that, it is within the United States."

A White House official said President Barack Obama was notified of the shooting shortly before 1 p.m. EDT by Homeland Security Advisor John Brennan. He later convened a conference call with FBI Director Bob Mueller, Chief of Staff Jack Lew, and Brennan to receive an update on the incident.

"Michelle and I were deeply saddened to learn of the shooting that tragically took so many lives in Wisconsin," Obama said in a statement. "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."

He added: "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."

Following the conference call, Obama also called Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, Oak Creek Mayor Steve Scaffidi and Sikh Temple trustee Charanjeet Singh to express his condolences for the lives lost and his concern for those who were injured. "The President said that he wanted to make sure that as we denounce this senseless act of violence we also underscore how much our country has been enriched by our Sikh Community, who are an integral part of our broader American family," the White House said.

Scaffidi, speaking at a news conference, expressed his shock about the mass shooting. "The City of Oak Creek is outraged by the senseless act of violence that happened in our city today, and our thoughts and prayers go out to those victims," he said. "We are grateful for the heroic actions of two of our officers who made a very dangerous situation a little bit better, and probably saved lives. So we are thankful for that and we hope that they have a speedy recovery."

In Washington, D.C., the Indian Embassy said it has sent an official to Oak Creek to get more details about the situation. "The Embassy is seized of the situation and has been in touch with the National Security Council in Washington, D.C.," the Embassy said in a statement. "Our Consulate General in Chicago too has been in close touch with the local authorities to monitor the situation."

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-08-06

[Steely Dan]

Hmmm, 'Domestic terrorism', where have I heard that phrase before? I recall president Obama referred to the murders at the Batman premier in a similar way and some press and politicians have also referred to the tea party as terrorists.

A quick reminder of definitions.

Terrorism - The use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims.

It is hard to see how any of the examples I mentioned could be defined as terrorism, though perhaps an anti-Sikh political movement may emerge, but I doubt it. This being the case what language is now the accepted way of defining violence and intimidation for political aims as oppose to one off acts of random violence or indeed legal protests in the case of the tea party? Or do we just have to conflate the lot for some reason.

P.S RIP the dead Sikhs, it's a shame they couldn't have taken the killer down with their ceremonial daggers sooner.

Edit: Furthermore the fort hood murders were referred by the defense department as 'workplace violence' so go figure.

Edited August 6, 2012 by Steely Dan

[Chonburiram]

Hmmm, 'Domestic terrorism', where have I heard that phrase before? I recall president Obama referred to the murders at the Batman premier in a similar way...

He could hardly say, it was one more case of gun lobbying terrorism.

[Ulysses G.]

Hmmm, 'Domestic terrorism', where have I heard that phrase before? I recall president Obama referred to the murders at the Batman premier in a similar way and some press and politicians have also referred to the tea party as terrorists.

The left and the mass media have tried to link the Tea Party to every violent incident of this type since they have become a force and have been proven wrong every time up till now. Occupy Wall Street have been linked to all kinds of crime and violence and the left and the mass media have embraced them. Go figure.

[Scott]

My condolences to the family and friends of the victims and to the Sikh community.

[mccw]

"suspect had a commemorative 9/11 tattoo" - The idiot probably thought he was attacking Muslims.

[simple1]

"suspect had a commemorative 9/11 tattoo" - The idiot probably thought he was attacking Muslims.

+1

[koheesti]

"suspect had a commemorative 9/11 tattoo" - The idiot probably thought he was attacking Muslims.

+2

[coma]

This is a really sad story. The Sikh communities around the world are a peaceful peoples and their men are extremely brave and have made huge sacrifices for world peace in the past.

2 massacres in two weeks. What ? Does the government need to deploy the national guard to guard religious gatherings, schools and ,apparently, picture theatres to protect people going about their business ?

[midas]

This is a really sad story. The Sikh communities around the world are a peaceful peoples and their men are extremely brave and have made huge sacrifices for world peace in the past.

2 massacres in two weeks. What ? Does the government need to deploy the national guard to guard religious gatherings, schools and ,apparently, picture theatres to protect people going about their business ?

2 massacres in two weeks.

" It's perhaps too easy to forget how many times this has happened. "

http://www.motherjon...s-shootings-map

Edited August 6, 2012 by midas

[coma]

This is a really sad story. The Sikh communities around the world are a peaceful peoples and their men are extremely brave and have made huge sacrifices for world peace in the past.

2 massacres in two weeks. What ? Does the government need to deploy the national guard to guard religious gatherings, schools and ,apparently, picture theatres to protect people going about their business ?

2 massacres in two weeks.

" It's perhaps too easy to forget how many times this has happened. "

http://www.motherjon...s-shootings-map

It sure is hard to find 'sincere goodness' in all walks of life these days. Just seems to be on the rise alot in the develope would. I wonder what the boffins put the reason down to ? Graphic computer games, increased occurance of drug & alcohol abuse, the everyday pressures of today,s society ? Or have these sorts of attacks / incidents infact not increased but are simply more heard of due to the ability and coverage of today's vast media apparatus ?

P.S Very interesting article. Most informative.

This is a particulary alarming stat. Legal gun owners committing gun crime.

Of the 132 guns possessed by the killers, more than three quarters were obtained legally.

Edited August 6, 2012 by coma

[midas]

This is a really sad story. The Sikh communities around the world are a peaceful peoples and their men are extremely brave and have made huge sacrifices for world peace in the past.

2 massacres in two weeks. What ? Does the government need to deploy the national guard to guard religious gatherings, schools and ,apparently, picture theatres to protect people going about their business ?

2 massacres in two weeks.

" It's perhaps too easy to forget how many times this has happened. "

http://www.motherjon...s-shootings-map

It sure is hard to find 'sincere goodness' in all walks of life these days. Just seems to be on the rise alot in the develope would. I wonder what the boffins put the reason down to ? Graphic computer games, increased occurance of drug & alcohol abuse, the everyday pressures of today,s society ? Or have these sorts of attacks / incidents infact not increased but are simply more heard of due to the ability and coverage of today's vast media apparatus ?

P.S Very interesting article. Most informative.

This is a particulary alarming stat. Legal gun owners committing gun crime.

Of the 132 guns possessed by the killers, more than three quarters were obtained legally.

why any member of the public should be allowed to buy 6000 rounds of ammunition online, along with four guns at local stores

without any law enforcement agencies keeping log is totally beyond me?

[coma]

Latest news coming out from the Pentagon is that the 'suspected gunman ' is Wade Michael Page, a 40 year old ex PsyOps operator in the US Army serving from 1992 to 1998.

[coma]

Futhermore. The suspect was shot dead by police during the incident.

[coma]

"suspect had a commemorative 9/11 tattoo" - The idiot probably thought he was attacking Muslims.

This extract from an article I read seems to add weight to your observation.

" Sikh rights groups have reported a rise in attacks in the US by people who mistake them for Muslims."

[meatballs]

This is a really sad story. The Sikh communities around the world are a peaceful peoples and their men are extremely brave and have made huge sacrifices for world peace in the past.

2 massacres in two weeks. What ? Does the government need to deploy the national guard to guard religious gatherings, schools and ,apparently, picture theatres to protect people going about their business ?

No doubt an ignorant redneck. Probably thought they were muslims.

[Jingthing]

He was a white supremacist racist. Not sure he was so ignorant that he though Sikhs were Muslims but possibly so. I don't recall Obama said the Colorado incident was domestic terrorism. If he did, I wouldn't agree. The US press never actually linked the Colorado incident to the tea party. ONE network (one) merely reported for a few brief moments that there was someone with the same name from the same town who was a tea party person, and then quickly reported it was not the same person. Domestic terrorism in modern times USA mostly comes from the radical right wing. As this incident was likely a racism inspired mass murder, it could be seen as domestic terrorism as it will understandably make Sikhs and other non-white ethnic groups that stand out get nervous. The best example of right wing domestic terrorism is the Oklahoma City bombing. In the past it came more from the left wing, such as Black Panthers and anti-Vietnam war activists bombings.

Edited August 6, 2012 by Jingthing

[ttelise]

Yep, white supremacist and rednecks are the bedrock for the NRA and do whacky things like Waco, Oklahoma City, this and etc.

[Baloo22]

Actually the pendulum has swung back. In the past few years, most politically-motivated violence and destruction in the USA has been caused by left-wing extremists and their "black-bloc" allies. The Tea-Party movement is very non-violent. There have been very few acts of violence or destruction at any of their events.

As far as this recent shooting in Wisconsin, it is way too early to tell the motivations of the shooter, whether he was a racist or mentally deranged or both.

[ttelise]

Actually the pendulum has swung back. In the past few years, most politically-motivated violence and destruction in the USA has been caused by left-wing extremists and their "black-bloc" allies. The Tea-Party movement is very non-violent. There have been very few acts of violence or destruction at any of their events.

As far as this recent shooting in Wisconsin, it is way too early to tell the motivations of the shooter, whether he was a racist or mentally deranged or both.

Blah, blah, blah, blah. Guns kill irregardless as to whether a tea party nut bag was able to buy 10 assault rifles and 30,000 rounds of ammo or whether a tree hugging hippy nutter buys a bazooka and takes out a logger on a tractor.

[Ulysses G.]

Actually the pendulum has swung back. In the past few years, most politically-motivated violence and destruction in the USA has been caused by left-wing extremists and their "black-bloc" allies. The Tea-Party movement is very non-violent. There have been very few acts of violence or destruction at any of their events.

Correct. It appears that this particular maniac was a racist and a former soldier and - so far - not much else is known about him.

[Jingthing]

Actually the pendulum has swung back. In the past few years, most politically-motivated violence and destruction in the USA has been caused by left-wing extremists and their "black-bloc" allies. The Tea-Party movement is very non-violent. There have been very few acts of violence or destruction at any of their events.

As far as this recent shooting in Wisconsin, it is way too early to tell the motivations of the shooter, whether he was a racist or mentally deranged or both.

We are talking here about internal domestic terror events. I don't recall any extremist left wing terrorist events in the U.S. in recent years. I do remember them back in the 1960s. If you're going to make these claims, best to give some big EXAMPLES with dates. Edited August 7, 2012 by Jingthing

[coma]

I think that certain memebers of the police who attended, dealt with and then eventually brought an end to the massacre were caught, maybe off guard, immediately after the incident by the media and were on the record and quoted as calling it a domestic terrorist act. That therefore caught on and spread fast. At such an early stage I doubt that they really could have or should have been making such statements to the media at that particular time on calls of that magnitude.

Edited August 7, 2012 by coma

[Jingthing]

Come on now. If some neo-Nazi skinhead beat up a minority person on the street it would be a hate crime. Shooting up a minority group religious temple is a terrorist event. In any case, it was horrible whatever you call it.

[coma]

At this early stage it is safe to say that he was a racist. That is for sure. Anything else is pure speculation. I mean the suspect is dead. He can't give information as to what his objective were, if indeed he had any, outside of killing as many people in the gurdwara as he could.

Edited August 7, 2012 by coma

[Jingthing]

We actually do know he was very active in the "White Power" American movement. It is what you imagine.

[Ulysses G.]

He was reportedly a neo-Nazi. Broad left-wing violence has been in decline since a successful FBI infiltration campaign in the mid-1980s.although lone nuts like the Uni-bomber have slipped through.

[Jingthing]

I don't think American Sikhs should consider this an organized attack although copycats are always possible. There are some reports of some supportive chatter on the American Nazi type websites but at least for now, it looks like this attack was organized by this one hater.

[JemJem]

I have a bad feeling that we will hear about terror acts committed by white supremacists and other fascists, more often in the future. The authorities in the US and in some European countries are too soft in dealing with fascist groups !

[Ulysses G.]

They are only "too soft" because they are democracies with human rights and freedom of speech and such.