Politics & Government

Complete Coverage of Sikh Temple Shootings

This is a list of everything you need to know about the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin shooting in Oak Creek, WI.

Seven people, including the gunman, died after a shooting rampage at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek Aug. 5, and new details are constantly pouring in.

Patch is vigorously following all angles of the story. Check out our special section completely devoted to the shooting, featuring breaking details, video interviews and photos from Sunday at the temple.

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Find out what's happening in Oak Creekwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Meanwhile, here is a list of everything to know about the Sikh Temple shooting. Click the larger headline to read each story.

Aug. 13

One week after violence at the Sikh Temple, the Oak Creek mayor calls on residents to celebrate the diversity of the city.

Find out what's happening in Oak Creekwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Aug. 12

Members gathered at the Oak Creek temple one week following a deadly rampage that took the lives of six people and injured three others.

An impromptu concert will be held tonight — Sunday, Aug. 12 — at Shank Hall in Milwaukee, starring Hindu-based music to "calm and uplift concert goers."

Aug. 11

The governor gives his thoughts on the Oak Creek tragedy in his weekly radio address.

Aug. 10

People from around the world came to Oak Creek High School Friday morning for the funeral of six people who died in attack at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin.

Thousands attended the funeral Friday for the six Sikhs who were gunned down Sunday at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek. While there were many tears, there was also a celebration of the selflessness exhibited by the victims before they were killed.

Thousands filled the Oak Creek High School Gymnasium for the funeral of six people who died in Sikh Temple attacks.

Aug. 9

Sikhs spoke to community leaders and government officials Thursday evening about how to move forward after Sunday's attacks and asked for help to increase acceptance and awareness of Sikhs by members of the greater community.

The two-hour event will be a viewing and include remarks from local dignitaries and family members.

Temple opened Thursday morning for the first time since Sunday's shootings.

U.S. Attorney James Santelle announced a two-hour session will be held tonight about how the community can come together in the wake of Sunday's shootings at the Sikh Temple.

Police Lt. Brian Murphy is now in satisfactory condition while Santokh Singh was upgraded to serious. Punjab Singh remains in critical condition.

For two years, Wade Michael Page was in the racist band Youngland, which performed at an Anaheim club known for being nice to Nazis.

Aug. 8

Residents packed Henry Miller Park for a community vigil held in solidarity with Sikh Temple of Wisconsin members who lost friends and family members in Sunday's shootings.

Authorities have also revealed that Page died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after he was shot by an Oak Creek police officer.

Police Lt. Brian Murphy has made significant progress since he was wounded during Sunday's shootings at the Sikh Temple.

Thousands descended on Henry Miller Park Tuesday evening to remember six members of the Sikh Temple who were shot Sunday, and three who were injured, in Oak Creek.

Aug. 7

Updates on Lt. Murphy, Sikh victims' funeral services, National Night Out and more.

Sita Singh, Ranjit Singh, Satwant Singh Kaleka, Prakash Singh, Paramjit Kaur and Suveg Singh will be remembered in a service Friday morning at Oak Creek High School.

Many churches will join together throughout the state on Sunday in a day of prayer, to help Christians support the Sikh community dealing with the aftermath of the mass shooting.

After the shooting Sunday at the Sikh Temple, Christian and Muslim neighbors have banded together to support the Sikh community while the schools will offer counseling during registration and services after school begins.

Aug. 5-6

A 40-year-old Army veteran acted alone in Sunday's shooting of six people at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek, authorities said Monday. Since then, a "person of interest" has been interviewed and cleared by the FBI.

The fireworks have been canceled and Oak Creek's annual National Night Out event is being revised to give residents a chance to reflect on the tragedy that struck the community.

Hundreds of people gathered Monday night at candlelight vigils in Oak Creek and Franklin to pray for the victims and their families.

With more than 10,000 Facebook recommendations and nearly 400 comments, this Patch's main story detailing the Sikh Temple shooting. It has information about the suspect, his home, the injured being treated at the hospital and whether this is a form of "domestic terrorism."

The victims of  are being remembered as loving family members who were dedicated to their faith and spiritual community. Oak Creek officials have released the names of the gunman's six victims. 

Oak Creek Police Lt. Brian Murphy was the first officer to the scene and was ambushed and shot up to nine times while attempting to help an injured victim. When support arrived, he refused help and ordered officers to go into the temple and help others.

The Army veteran's group was called "End Apathy" and featured songs such as "Self Destruct," "Usefull Idiots" and "Submission."

The Oak Creek and Sikh communities began the mourning process Monday, the day after six Sikh members were shot and killed at a temple.

One day after the attack at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek, people are looking for ways to support and assist the victims and the congregation. Vigils are being scheduled, donations are being scheduled, and there is a broad call for education.

Temple members say this isn't the first attack on the Sikh community since 9/11, but the largest concern right now is for the estimated 10 children who witnessed the shooting on Sunday.

The president of the Brookfield Sikh temple said Monday he holds no hatred in his heart for the man accused of  Sunday and is also praying for him. "He was also a brother of someone, maybe the husband of someone. He was also the son of someone," Brookfield Sikh temple President Gucharan Singh told Patch. "What he has done is no good, no good. But whenever someone is dead, I have heart."

The Oak Creek Community United Methodist Church is holding a vigil Monday. A vigil will also be held Tuesday at National Night Out.

The woman described the shooter — who lives in Cudahy — as "quiet" and said he had just broken up with his girlfriend. The woman said she is “completely freaked out.” 

Nearly 100 members gathered outside the temple as word of the shooting spread across southeastern Wisconsin on Sunday. "This is disgraceful for the community and the whole world,” one member, who drives from Madison to Sikh services in Oak Creek each Sunday, told Patch.

Dan Jakubczyk knew something was ‘off’ when he heard sirens from several emergency vehicles driving into the area Sunday morning after church. The Oak Creek alderman, however, had no idea just how dire a situation was unfolding in his very own district.

Photos and video footage were compiled into this video from Sunday's developments.

A few hundred people gathered at Cathedral Square in downtown Milwaukee Sunday night to begin the healing process. People prayed, sang and offered their thoughts about how to come together. "We didn't want to sit at home and be angry or be scared," said Stephanie Haw of Greendale. "We wanted to show we could do something. It might not be a lot, but it's still something."

Local and national leaders, including President Barack Obama, weighed in with thoughts on the tragedy.

Reaction from around the country calls for more education about the Sikh community and prayers for healing.

President Obama called Oak Creek Mayor Steve Scaffidi Sunday afternoon to offer his condolences to the city. "His words were very comforting on a very difficult day," Scaffidi tweeted

The morning after one of the worst events in Oak Creek's history, law enforcement and city officials Monday were sorting through a myriad of issues.

While we don't know the names of all the victims from , some family members are talking about their loved ones. "He loved to come to the temple and talk to people. He speaks only Punjab. He's a nice father."


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