Milwaukee Shooting at Sikh Temple in Wisconsin Leaves 7 Dead, Police Calls It Domestic Terrorism
CNN has reported a potential shooting at Sikh temple in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, on Sunday where at least one body was seen lying in the parking lot, and multiple people are feared to have been shot outside the temple. Though it was initially believed the suspect was on the loose, there is a possibility that he or she remains inside -- which could potentially trigger a hostage situation.
Two men have been admitted to Froedtert Hospital, a hospital spokeswoman said. One is in critical condition in the surgical intensive care unit; the other has been sent to an operating room. The shooting happened at 10:40 a.m. (local time), and aerial pictures show multiple bodies in the parking lot.
The tragedy is unfolding just weeks after another tragic shooting happened, this time in an Aurora, Colorado, movie theater, where accused John Holmes shot and injured dozens of movie goers who were attending a midnight premiere show of Christian Nolan's movie The Dark Knight Rises.
UPDATES:
Sunday, 5:19 pm: Police has called the shooting an act of "domestic terrorism." They said the initial reporters of multiple shooters are inacurate, as the perpetrator was one man. They added the criminal investigation is ongoing, and promised another press conference with new details on Monday at 10:00 am (local time).
Sunday, 4:49 pm: President Barack Obama was notified of the shooting shortly before 1 p.m. by his Homeland Security Advisor, John Brennan, according to an official. "Michelle and I were deeply saddened to learn of the shooting that tragically took so many lives in Wisconsin, the president said. Meanwhile, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney said in a statement: “Ann and I extend our thoughts and prayers to the victims of today’s shooting in Wisconsin."
Sunday, 4:13: CNN has reported that the women and children who were hiding inside the temple have started to come out as the police continues its sweep.
Sunday, 3:50 pm: As CNN and media outlets insist not to jump to conclusions before the investigation is executed, an increasing number of members of the community are expressing frustration over the fact that the crime might have been racially motivated.
Sunday, 3:43 pm: A new police press conference is expected within the hour where more details will be revealed about the unfolding operation.
Sunday, 3:33 pm: The suspect has been described as "a white man of heavy built who wore a sleeveless shirt."
Sunday, 3:23 pm: A member of the community, who claims he's been talking to people who are still inside, told CNN that survivors are hiding in the basement. The man will be interviewed by police.
Sunday, 3:18 pm: Police has said the situation is "very fluid."
Sunday, 3:08 pm: CNN's Rob Marciano said police has gone inside the building for a "full sweep" in search of additional gunmen.
Sunday, 3:04: A night shift temple's employee, who left the place right before the shooting started, said he was stunned by the horrific scene and the possibility he could have been one of the victims.
Sunday, 2:56 pm: Police said the situation "has been contained," as they get ready to inspect the temple's building in search for other potential suspects.
Sunday, 2:52 pm: CNN has reported that a total of 7 people are dead, one of them presumed to be the suspect.
Sunday, 2:46 pm: Chief police officer Brad Wentlandt told CNN one of the suspects is presumed to be dead. He added that there are two additional wounded people who were found outside the temple and confirmed 4 people are dead inside the temple.
Sunday, 2:43 pm: As family of the victims express frustration over potentially being racially profiled, CNN has reiterated in several opportunities "we want to be careful how we report the developments" in order not to interfere with the police operations.
Sunday, 2:39 pm: The niece of the temple president, who did not attend temple today, said all her family is trapped in the temple. "No one was answering their phones. All the mothers, the ladies locked up in the room. Kids are in the basement, don't know where the men are. It's going to affect all of us here. For me, my life flashed in front of my eyes. Every single member of my family was inside that church. Just like this, everyone can be gone. I rushed home. [It's] the scariest feeling in the world," she concluded according to the Huffington Post.
Sunday, 2:30 pm: Kathy Moran, a nursing supervisor at Columbia St. Mary's hospital in Milwaukee, told CNN that early reports suggested between eight to 20 people had been wounded; while Gurcharan Grewal, president of the Sikh Religious Society of Wisconsin, said that he has heard from multiple people that there were wounded victims still inside the temple and that there may have been multiple perpetrators.
Sunday, 2:25: According to the Chicago Tribune, Oak Creek Police Department dispatcher Stephanie Uljanec says the shooting took place about 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, 7512 S. Howell Ave. Oak Creek is south of Milwaukee along Lake Michigan.
Sunday, 2:24: The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that a SWAT team went into the building and brought out an undetermined number of injured people.
Sunday, 2:20: The same son of the victim expressed frustration because the Sikh community has been targeted and attacked after 9-11 "because we wear turbans and beards."
Sunday, 2:16: The son of a victim, who made it outside, said there are multiple shooters in the temple.
Sunday, 2:13: Lee Biblo, from Froedtert Hospital, has confirmed there are three victims from the shooting being treated at the hospital. They are all in critical condition.
Sunday, 2:07 pm: CNN has said that an estimated 20 to 30 people were inside the temple, waiting for the service to start, when the shooting started.
Sunday, 2:05 pm: Though authorities haven't confirmed there is a hostage situation, the fact that victims are being treated by respondents "as they arrive" suggests there is at least one more gunman inside the Oak Creek temple.
Sunday, 2:01 pm: One suspect has been "put down," said Oak Creek Alderman Dan Jakubczyk.
Sunday, 1:59 pm: The two unidentified men who made it to the hospital are the only two people who have been able to escape so far.
Sunday, 1:53 pm: CNN has said the suspect, who might still inside of the temple and armed, is a man.
