Tonight on AC360: Tragedy in the Sikh community
Here we are in Oak Creek, Wisconsin just about a week after covering the horrific shooting spree in Aurora, Colorado. I didn't think I'd be back on a story like this for a while...but sadly, I am. Different state. Different suspect. Similar tragedy and terrible loss.
It's good to see this getting a lot of attention. When we arrived at the police station this morning for the news briefing, it was jammed with media.
As I walked in, a large group – all members of the local Sikh community – was praying together in the lobby of the police department. It was a powerful sight. They were soon ushered to their front row seats for the news conference. They even asked questions of the FBI and police, including when they might get their temple back. They were told hopefully by Thursday while the investigation continues.
We waited about an hour or so to get an interview with Police Chief John Edwards. He has so much to deal with but is staying strong. He told me he hopes to make it to the hospital tonight to visit the officer who was shot eight or nine times. They are all so relieved Lt. Brian Murphy survived.
Getting around Oak Creek isn't easy today with a lot of streets around the temple blocked off. The media are being kept about a block or so away; huge satellite trucks line the streets.
One of the nice things I’ve picked up on here is a real and deep sense of community. The police and the Sikhs appear tight, and genuinely concerned for each other. Together they mourn the loss of six, and the violation of their peaceful community. Tonight there is a vigil scheduled so they can collectively begin to heal.
At 8 and 10 p.m. ET watch our report on the heroic actions of the police and how they prevented greater tragedy.
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Post by: Randi Kaye Filed under: Shooting at Sikh temple |
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A Veteran ? Military does not just teach how to use weapons, it also teaches when and where not to use. A veteran is not suppose to take his weapon out and kill civilians. Sikh community is one of the bravest community of India, most generous, fun loving and hardworking.
NOT ACCEPTABLE
I am so grieved about the terrible and needless loss of life and the tremendous amount of pain and sadness which is happening now to all those who knew and loved the people who died because of it. I also want to say as a 56-year-old "white" "Christian" "American" woman, I have met many people during my life who were demonstrating the Sikh way of belief, and I have been extremely impressed with their kindly, gentle and courteous manner of expression. Your hearts are clear, your spirits are bright. Thank you.
You agreed not to talk about the shooter (use his name) in Aurora, Co shooting, why is Page getting so much attention in the Sikh Temple shooting in WI? The victims should be the focus, Oak Creek lost good peaceful people Sunday and they should be remembered. God Bless the innocent victims and thank you Anderson for coming to WI, Oak Creek welcomes you even though this is a horrible time to come.
The city of Oak Creek is holding a Memorial Vigil Tuesday night at 8:30pm (central) at the City Community Center on Howell to remember the victims of the shooting.
Please stop referring to this gunman as a veteran. He was thrown out of the army!! Let's not give him any reasons for doing what he did.
do not give the shooter and others that are involved in hate bands and other hate organizations any publicity in the media