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.