One witness told Newsradio 620 WTMJ’s Dan O’Donnell that at least two, possible four gunmen were hiding inside the temple. Reports of “hostage situation”.
One of the temple’s committee members, Ven Boba Ri, said that based on communication with people inside the temple, the shooter was a white male in his 30s.
“We have no idea,” he said of the motive. “It’s pretty much a hate crime. It’s not an insider.”
According to Ri, the man started shooting after he walked up to a priest who was standing outside, and shot him.
Then he went inside and started shooting.
People inside the temple were using cell phones to call people outside, saying please send help, Ri said.
“It’s sad, I don’t know how to describe it,” said Ri, who has been fielding calls all morning from around the world, including India.
“Sikhism is such a peaceful religion. We have suffered for generations, in India and even here.”
“We’re all the same. Everybody has the same blood,” said temple member Jaswinder Schandock.
Groups of temple members were gathered, on cell phones, conferring in small groups and watching from afar.
Oak Creek police were not giving out any information at this point.
According to what I’ve heard, police may have shot one of the shooters.
The more I hear about this the more it’s not some dumb group of white racists doing it. It’s just not the profile. It’s a group of 3-4 people. They obviously researched the special priest being there today. What group of people have problems with Sikhs and like to persecute them? It ain’t German Wisconsin white guys. It’s the muslims. They could blend right in to the general crowds too appearing to look like Sikhs.