7 People Dead, Including Gunman, In Mass Shooting At Sikh Temple Near Milwaukee!

"The shooter was a white male in his 30s, Ven Boba Ri, one of the temple's committee members, tells the Journal-Sentinel.

"It's pretty much a hate crime," he tells the news organization. "It's not an insider."

The incident unfolded, Ri told the Journal-Sentinel, after the shooter walked up to a priest who was standing outside and shot him. The shooter then went inside and began firing at others, according to Ri.

Police so far have not indicated any known motive.

Update at 3:18 p.m. ET:

The Indian Embassy reports that it is monitoring the situation and that it is in touch with the National Security Council over the incident, CNN is reporting. President Obama, who the White House reports touched down in Washington via the Marine One helicopter about 40 minutes ago, has been informed of the situation, CNN also reports.

About an hour ago, a Facebook page encouraging members of the public to pray for the victims of the Sikh temple shooting was launched.


Police and fire departments are handling a shooting at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wis., south of Milwaukee, where at least seven people, including the gunman, are dead, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and other news organizations. At least three people, including a police officer who exchanged shots with the suspect, have been injured and taken to a hospital." - USA TODAY