Local Sikhs 'shocked' by Wisc. shooting

CASCADE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - The shooting of six people at a suburban Milwaukee Sikh temple has sparked concern and fear in a relatively small religious community within the U.S.

Six people were killed at the temple in Oak Creek. Three people were hurt, preliminary reports indicate, including one police officer who exchanged gunfire with the suspect. The gunman was eventually shot and killed by officers.

PHOTO GALLERY | Deadly shooting at Sikh Temple

The news coming out of Wisconsin spread faster through the Sikh community than it did through the nation. Worshipers gathered at the Sikh temple -- or gurdwara, as it's called in the Sikh faith -- in Cascade Township learned of what was happening by phone.

"Everybody was shocked," said Tejinder Singh Mander, president of the Sikh Gurdwara in Cascade Township.

It didn't take long to realize a congregation member knew one of the victims of the terror in Wisconsin. The brother-in-law of one of the Sikhs assembled for worship was at the Wisconsin temple and was injured in the shooting.

Those assembled in Ada had questions that many still have and may never have answers to: Why did this happen?

Many in the Sikh community are confused with Muslims because of similar practices in what they wear. That sometimes makes them targets -- especially in a post Sept. 11 era.

"People obviously get very concerned about their safety and future," said Mander.

At the gurdwara, worship is a little different than what many are used to. Sikhs sit on the floor and do not wear shoes in the temple. Usually, men and women are in separate parts of the room and children are present for the entire service.

Gurdit Suri came to his temple to pray after learning about the shootings.

"It hurts. It's a pain that I can't describe," he said. "The Sikh temple is my home and the idea that anybody could desecrate that special boundary of it, in my heart and in the hearts of many Sikhs, is unfathomable to me."

The gurdwara has not had issues in the past. Still, the shooting raised concerns about how to go forward safely and at the same time keep the temple as they know it.

"We have actually thought about going to the police to take their help and have them guide us," said Mander.

"If we are going to make some people stand outside with a weapon, it's not like a religious place," said gurdwara leader Baljeet Singh.

Right now, the community is focused on educating the public about who they are and what they stand for: peace and love -- even for the man responsible for the shootings.

"We do not hate this man. We pity him and we mourn for those who we've lost today," said Suri. "I can proudly say that I feel secure in my temple and I feel secure in my community. I will never be scared to walk into my temple."

A candlelight vigil in memory of the shooting will be held Tuesday at 7:15 p.m. at the gurdwara.

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The Sikh Society of West Michigan