On Sunday, another shooter opened fire in a packed space of people. This time it was a Sikh temple in Oak Creek Wisconsin. The gunman killed at least six people. According to police reports the alleged killer was shot on the spot by police force.
According to spokesman for the ATF Chicago Bureau, Thomas Ahern told reporters that the gunman has been identified as a tall white man in his 40s, with a tatooo that reads "911," police say that he served in the US army. His background history reveals no major crimes except for a misdemeanor. Although, no definitive motive has been named, police say the alleged killer was a "white supremacist" or "skinhead" according to ABC News. Authorities told NBC News, he was "some kind of radical or white supremacist views, but was apparently not a member of any kind of radical organization." The case is being lead by an FBI investigation that is treating it as an act of "domestic terrorism," according to Yahoo News.
According to CNN News, the suspect was found in possession of two semi-automatic handguns. The police department refused to give details of the weapons recovered on the spot.
Governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker said he was working with enforcement authorities and said "Our hearts go out to the victims and their families as we all struggle to comprehend the evil that begets this terrible violence," according to a statement released on Yahoo.
Police arrived shortly after 911 dispatchers received multiple calls from the temple; a police who was treating a victim in the parking lot was "ambushed" by the alleged shooter according to Police Chief John Edwards (Yahoo News), who shot the police officer multiple times after which he was shot to death by another officer. The police officer is recovering from surgery in the Milwaukee's Froedtert Hospital. According to reports two other victims are also in the same hospital all three (including the officer) are said to be in critical condition. Reports suggest that there could be as many as 20 victims.
President Barack Obama released a statement on the incident according to Yahoo News:
"Michelle and I were deeply saddened to learn of the shooting that tragically took so many lives in Wisconsin," Obama said. "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. 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."
The presumed republican nominee for the 2012 presidential race, Mitt Romney also released a statement: "This was a senseless act of violence and a tragedy that should never befall any house of worship...Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and the entire Oak Creek Sikh community. We join Americans everywhere in mourning those who lost their lives and in prayer for healing in the difficult days ahead," as reported on Yahoo News.
The temple shooting is the second shooting a span of a couple weeks. On July 20, James Egan Holmes opened fire at a movie house in Aurora, Colorado during a midnight screening of the "Dark Knight Rises," 12 people were killed and 58 critically injured.
