Local Sikh Temples Following Investigation of Wisconsin Shootings

Sikh congregations in Poway and Escondido kept a close eye Monday on the investigation into a mass shooting at a temple in Oak Creek, Wis., that left six people and the gunman dead.

No added security was ordered for the temples in San Diego County, with local Sikh leaders adopting a wait-and-see approach.

“We decided that we are going to wait and see what turns out ... to see how widespread this may be,” said Baljit Singh, president of the Sikh Society of San Diego.

As of Monday morning, there were no indications the shooting was anything more than an isolated act of violence, he said.

According to authorities, about 8:25 a.m. Sunday, 40-year-old Army veteran and former leader of a white supremacist heavy metal band Wade Michael Page opened fire in the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin using a 9mm handgun and multiple magazines of ammunition. In addition to the six killed, three people were wounded, including a relative of a Chula Vista family and a police officer, Singh said.

A police officer shot and killed Page.

White supremacists traditionally do not attack Sikhs, indicating that Sunday’s attack may have been an example of someone mistaking Sikhs for Muslims, according to published reports.

“We are saddened to see that this has happened and we will do everything that we can in our power to assist in the Oak Creek community,” Singh said.

 -City News Service