Updates Below Refresh your browser regularly to stay up to date (aggregated from CNN, FOXNews, and multiple other sources):

Friday, August 10th:

14:08 AM CT – We have received information from Sikh Coalition that Bhai Punjab Singh, the Sikh Kathavachik from the Damdami Taksal is alive. Bhai Punjab Singh is a very learned Sikh who has been doing Sikhi parchar for years.

12:08 AM CT – Bhai Punjab Singh, a Sikh scholar who was in critical situation after the shooting has succumbed to injuries. The death toll has risen to 8. Bhai Punjab Singh was a student of Damdami Taksal. (Information received from YesPunjab)

Thursday, August 9th:

11:48 AM CT – Current updates:

There will be a community discussion on the Sikh Temple shootings held tonight from 5:00pm – 7:00pm at Oak Creek High School to “promote healing, encourage understanding, share perspectives and advance harmony.”

U.S. Attorney James Santelle will moderate the session, which will include representatives of the Sikh Temples in Oak Creek and Brookfield, leaders of Sikh organizations and local government officials.

Funeral Arrangements

Wake & Visitation

Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, 9am-11am

Oak Creek High School Gymnasium

340 E. Puetz Rd, Oak Creek, WI 53154

In lieu of flowers, please make donations for the victims’ families at the memorial fund at: WeAreSikhs.com or send checks payable to:

Sikh Temple of Wisconsin

Tri City National Bank

3378 S. 27th St. Milwaukee, WI 53215

Wednesday, August 8th:

11:28 AM CT – There are a total of 5-7 Saroops of Guru Granth Sahib at the Oak Creek Gurdwara, the main saroop was parkash at the time of the shooting, but an FBI special agent in charge was a Sehajdhari Sikh and did Sukhasan of the Saroop to the best of his ability and took it to the Sachkhand room. This was done the same day as the shooting, and was a top priority for the agent. It was one of the only places in the Gurdwara that was not impacted. The FBI agent said his parents used to keep a Saroop at their house so he did the best he could.

10:20 AM CT – CNN is reporting the following:

Wade Michael Page, the shooter in the Sikh temple tragedy in Wisconsin, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head after he was shot in the stomach by a responding officer, Teresa Carlson, the special agent in charge for the FBI in Milwaukee, said today.

Tuesday, August 7th:

4:19 PM CT – Sikh24 sources on the ground report that funeral services are still pending, but Sangat is aiming for Friday

12:43 PM CT – Update from Oak Creek’s website:

A prayer vigil will be held beginning at 8:30 P.M. tonight August 7th. The vigil will be to remember and pray for the victims and injured members of the community shot at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek on Sunday. The vigil will begin between the Oak Creek Library and the Oak Creek Community Center and then move a short walking distance to Miller Park.

10:40 AM CT – Our source on the ground has informed us that Sikh Coalition, SALDEF, United Sikhs and many other seva organizations are working together in unison to provide any aid necessary. Very inspiring!

2:20 AM CT – Message from Sikh Community of Oak Creek as posted on the city’s website (oakcreekwi.org):

Message From The Sikh Community

Sikh Representatives have asked us to Communicate the Following Information:

If you wish to donate food, please donate to your local food pantry.

If you wish to send flowers, please send them to your own local place of worship or your local Sikh temple.

If you are moved to volunteer, please donate your time and talent in your own community.

We encourage you to honor the victims by volunteering in your own place of worship or your local Sikh Temple.

Contact Information for Victims Memorial Fund:

Sikh Temple of Wisconsin

7512 S. Howell Avenue, Oak Creek, WI 53154

2:05 AM CT – The person of interest has been deemed to not be involved in Sunday’s attack.

Monday, August 6th:

9:43 PM CT – Sikh24 has learned that the person of interest has been found – more information coming as we receive it.

6:10 PM CT – Witness Harbans Singh says he saw 2 people who were shot who were not dead at the time he was in the Gurdwara but was escorted away from the Gurdwara by police when he tried to get help.

6:05 PM CT – Neighbors describe Page as a recluse who went out of the way to avoid people.

5:38 PM CT – “An attack on a Sikh Gurdwara is an attack on places of worship in this country.” Manjit Singh from SALDEF on CNN

4:46 PM CT – “They do surveillance, do lots of google research…They use google maps…They get very creative with [firearms laws].”

4:44 PM CT – David Gletty, Author of Undercover Nazi, was undercover for the FBI and infiltrated Neo-Nazi groups. On CNN, he said “The music is a very creative tool and a very important tool for bringing in the youth, they bring in the youth that are on the edge of society… they call it the racial holy war…they believe the america they grew up in is dead.”

4:33 PM CT – Below is a picture of Suveg Singh, 84, who was killed over the weekend.

4:15 PM CT – Understanding the Sikh Community

4:00 PM CT – Mayor Steve Scaffidi will be holding a question and answer session for the press in the City of Oak Creek Common Council Chambers at 4:30pm to clarify currently disclosed information. The City of Oak Creek’s thoughts and prayers are extended to the families and friends of the victims in this time of tragedy.

2:50 PM CT – Details regarding Shooter

1:30 PM CT – Heroes of Oak Creek

1:16 PM CT – The city of Oak Creek says “Local police and investigators understand the importance of sanctity of the Temple and are working to restore use of the Temple to the worship community just as soon as the investigations are complete.”

12:43 CT – Here are a few links to articles Sikh24 editor’s recommend:

A Muslim’s Take on Yesterday’s Events

Sikh Rights Group Announces $10k Award for Police Officer

12:06 pm CT – More information about the shooter is being pieced together.

The Huffington Post published a good article about the band Page was in and has included multiple pictures from the band’s MySpace. Excerpt from the article below:

“According to police, Page, 40, lived in an apartment building in Cudahy, Wisc. Authorities searched the building Sunday. The landlord there told authorities Page held a night job making welding supplies. Neighbors said they believe his girlfriend recently broke up with him. ”

11: 34 CT – Higher quality picture of Person of Interest:

11:10 CT – The first officer to respond to the Sikh temple shooting, Lt. Brian Murphy, was shot “8 to 9 times with a handgun.”

11:08 CT –

FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Teresa Carlson issued the following statement: “The FBI is working closely with the Oak Creek Police Department and other local and federal agencies to investigate today’s shooting incident. This remains an active investigation in its early stages. While the FBI is investigating whether this matter might be an act of domestic terrorism, no motive has been determined at this time. We know our community has been deeply impacted by this incident, and our thoughts are with those affected and particularly with the officer who was wounded in the line of duty to protect others.”

11:05 CT – The press conference has ended. Small pic of the person of interest:

11:01 CT – Kulwant Singh Dhaliwal thanking police department.

10:59 CT – FBI – “Nobody knew this guy was a threat.”

10:57 CT – Police and City are meeting with Sikh community after the press conference regarding sanctity of Guru Granth Sahib.

10:56 CT – Wade Michael Page:

10:55 CT – Unconfirmed by Sikh24, other news outlets are reporting shooter was a neo-Nazi.

10:53 CT – FBI – “We hope to have [the gurdwara] back to you by Thursday at the latest.”

10:52 CT – When the gurdwara will be available to provide respect to Guru Sahib, whose current status is unknown.

10:51 CT – Comments on why EMT’s did not get into Darbar Hall quickly because they were concerned of multiple shooters. “It may have seemed like a long period of time. We told them to hold… It must seem like an eternity. We weren’t waiting for any other reason except to make sure nobody else outside was hurt.”

10:50 CT – FBI – “There is always a concern of copycats, but we don’t have any specific reason to be concerned in this case.”

10:48 CT – FBI – “[We] are not aware of any [previous] threats to this temple.”

10:48 CT – There were some witnesses reporting that the Gurdwara was cased the night before.

10:47 CT – FBI – “We are analyzing his military records.”

10:47 CT – Who is Wade Michael Page?

10:45 CT – FBI – “We are looking at ties to white supremacist groups.”

10:44 CT – 9 mm hand gun utilizing multiple ammunition magazines.

10:42 CT – Firearm was purchased legally by someone who was allowed to. Note, they did not say Page purchased it.

10:40 CT – The man with the 9/11 tattoo is not Page. The person of interest shown in the picture has the tattoo.

10:40 CT – Updated victim information will be available at http://oakcreekwi.org/

10:39 CT – ATF – We know where the gun came from and how the killer ended up with it.

10:37 CT – FBI – “We are investigating it as a possible act of domestic terrorism, but we are still investigating motive at this time…We want to assure the community we are doing everything we possibly can.”

10:36 CT – FBI is showing a picture of a person of interest who may be involved. TIP LINE: 1-800-CALL-FBI

10:35 CT – FBI – “This senseless act of violence against a house of worship is reprehensible.”

10:32 CT – “The attorney General wants you to know that we are with you and we stand with you.”

10:30 CT – US attorney is talking about how Sikhs are not Muslims. “Sikh faith is a faith of love..committed to work and to the nation…[Sikhs believe that] even in the midst of profound challenge, profound danger, we have optimism.”

10:29 CT – “We are committed to the security of the Sikh Community..We will be with you today and always.” – US attorney

10:28 CT – “We have every reason to believe there was only one shooter involved, although investigation continues to that end.” – US attorney

10:28 CT – The first responders have been up for 24 hours. Focused.

10:25 CT – There is no reason for members of Oak Creek or the Sikh community to fear a repeat incident based on available information – US attorney

10:24 CT – US Attorney: “the terrible event we witnessed yesterday should not be a part of america”

10:23 CT – Baba Punjab Singh:

10:22 CT – US attorney apologizing to Sikh community.

10:20 CT – Shooter identified as Wade Michael Page, the only shooter involved. 40 years old. ex-military.

10:18 am CT – names of victims confirmed.

Bhai Seeta Singh (Granthi/Gurdwara Priest) 41 years old

Bhai Parkash Singh (Granthi/Gurdwara Priest) 39 years old

Bhai Ranjeet Singh (Raagee / Hymn Singer)

Satwant Singh Kaleka (President of the Gurdwara) 62 years old

Subegh Singh Khatra (Congregation Member) 84 years old

Parmjit Kaur Toor (Congregation Member) 41 years old

The following are in critical condition:

Bhai Punjab Singh

Santokh Singh

10:14 am CT – First officer on scene went to aid an injured individual before he was shot 8-9 times by the suspect at close range with a handgun

10:12 am CT – Fire chief speaking about fire department’s response

10:11 am CT – 27 different agencies responded/assisted with yesterdays events

10:09 am CT – There will be a vigil in Oak Creek at 8:30 pm CT tomorrow

10:08 am CT – Mayor Scaffidi speaking

10:04 am CT – While waiting for the press conference to start here are some more details via CNN: According to a Pentagon official, Page was discharged from military service in 1998 for “patterns of misconduct.”

9:59 am CT – Press conference will begin any minute now

9:56 am CT – Is this White-Power hardcore guitarist the Milwaukee Sikh Temple shooter? (pictures provided in link)

9:51 am CT – Police briefing to start in less than 10 minutes

6:55 am CT – CNN is reporting the suspected shooter is 40 year old former Army soldier Wade Michael Page.

3:10 am CT – Sources are reporting that the suspect in the shooting was an Army Vet who may have been a white supremacist.

12:12 am CT – United Sikhs is reporting the following, these have not been confirmed by Sikh24:

The following people passed away today:

Bhai Seeta Singh (Granthi/Gurdwara Priest)

Bhai Parkash Singh (Granthi/Gurdwara Priest)

Bhai Ranjeet Singh (Raagee / Hymn Singer)

Satwant Singh Kaleka (President of the Gurdwara)

Subegh Singh (Congregation Member)

Parmjit Kaur Toor (Congregation Member)

The following are in critical condition:

Bhai Punjab Singh

Santokh Singh

Sunday, August 5th:

11:00 pm CT – Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a US based human rights advocacy group, announced a $10,000 gallantry award for the Wisconsin officer, who risked his life to save many lives by first responding to the 911 call for the shoot out at Wisconsin Sikh Gurdwara.

9:37 CT – Sikh24 has received conflicting reports about Guru Granth Sahib’s saroop at the Gurdwara. A member of WI Gurdwara sangat told Sikh24 that the saroop was desecrated during the incident. No update about the current state.

7:54 CT – First details about victims of today’s shooting being released.

6:51 CT – Some reports are stating that four suspicious men in dark clothes were seen entering the Gurdwara, not one as being widely circulated. This has yet to be confirmed by authorities.

6:41 CT – Sikh Temple Officials report that they received a suspicious call before the shooting, asking when the temple was busiest.

6:40 CT – Authorities are now at the shooter’s home.

6:18 CT – President of Gurdwara tried to tackle the shooter and was shot in the back, he is currently at the hospital.

6:12 CT – Kanwardeep Singh Kaleka says witnesses told him that the shooter was 6ft tall, wearing a white shirt, and black pants. Members of the congregation are still being debriefed at the adjacent bowling alley.

5:20 CT – According to Don Walker from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – shooter believed to be a white male in his 30’s. Federal officials are at the home of the shooter looking for weapons, computers, and any way to possibly determine the motive.

5:05 CT – 10 people are wounded including the officers.

5:02 CT – NBC is reporting that the suspect was armed with a single hand gun and was wearing tactical gear.

4:35 CT – Sikh24 will post major updates as they arrive.

4:32 CT – Eric Marrapodi doing a great job sharing information about importance of the turban and beard on CNN.

4:27 CT – Sikh24 has learned from Sikhs in Wisconsin that Sukhasan (closing of Holy Scripture) was done of Guru Granth Sahib and there was no damage to any of the Sarroops of Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh Holy Scripture).

4:25 CT – Freedtert Hospital press conference now on live.

4:23 CT – Two semi-automatic handguns were found on the scene.

4:19 CT – Mayor of Oak Creek (Steve Scaffidi) offers prayers to the victims and thanks the two officers that responded to the scene. No new official information will be released until 10am tomorrow morning.

4:16 CT – Nobody is left in the Gurdwara, no timeline as to when Gurdwara will be reopened.

4:14 CT – Total 7 deceased, 3 injured including an officer. No information released about the suspect. The weapon(s) have not been recovered as of yet, but will be recovered soon.

4:12 CT – Chief of the Oak Creek Police (John Edwards) speaking now – “The heroic actions of our officers prevented this from being more horrific than it could have been. Officer that was shot was ambushed. Another officer then shot at the suspect. Gurdwara has now been cleared. Numerous people have been deceased. FBI will be handling the criminal investigation – treating this as domestic terrorism.”

4:09 CT – Press conference starting – police chief Brad Wentlandt speaking

4:06 CT – “The Sikhs are among the best Indian Americans, patriotic, law abiding, industrious, generous and giving. I greive with them today.” Indian Ambassador to the U.S.

4:04 CT – No sense of urgency in the grid search in the woods. Victims have been taken to a bowling alley near the Gurdwara and being debriefed by authorities there.

4:02 CT – Freedtert Hospital is stating that all 3 victims are still in critical condition and are preparing for a press conference.

4:01 CT – Police conference expected soon.

3:53 CT – The wooded area is a vacant wooded area. Police are preparing to do a grid search with a significant presence of officers. Live press conference has been delayed – perhaps related to the search in the wooded area.

3:50 CT – 50-60 members of a SWAT team are sweeping a wooded area about a mile from the Gurdwara with their guns drawn.

3:41 CT – Mitt Romney also issues statement:

“Ann and I extend our thoughts and prayers to the victims of today’s shooting in Wisconsin. 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.”

3:40 CT – President Obama issues statement:

“Michelle and I were deeply saddened to learn of the shooting that tragically took so many lives in Wisconsin. 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.”

3:38 CT – Police at Gurdwara in Fremont, California for precautionary measures.

3:36 CT – Helicopters are now back in the area.

3:35 CT – Police are looking for suspect’s car to find identifiable information to identify the suspect and then get a search warrant for his home.

3:33 CT – Sangat (congregation) members say they are not upset just confused

3:30 CT – Some unconfirmed reports say that a Granthi (Sikh priest) was killed while reading the closing verses of the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh Scriptures).

3:29 CT – Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker issues statement offering condolences to the community.

3:26 CT – Statement from Muslim community (CAIR)

3:24 CT – This is a good link for pictures from the scene

3:23 CT – CNN providing a good description of a typical Sunday at a Gurdwara right now

3:19 CT – Security has been added at a second Gurdwara in Wisconsin. Increased security at New York Gurdwaras as well.

3:17 CT – Sangat (Congregation) coming out of the Gurdwara are saying that a 10 year old child was the first person to see the shooter. Law enforcement has removed the injured from the Gurdwara and are now searching cars to maybe help identify the gunman and how he got there.

3:15 CT – #WeAreAllAmericans

3:13 CT – Although it is too early to speculate it is hard not to think about the killing of Balbir Singh in Arizona in 2001, the various Sikh Taxi drivers killed in California, the slew of arson attacks against Gurdwaras in Canada. Unfortunately for Sikhs these things have become a part of life but never was something this extreme imagined.

3:09 CT – The Gurdwara has now been cleared and police are in the parking lot and searching cars. Sangat is calling the police officer who was shot the Sikh community’s hero.

3:08 CT – Live UStream from Wisconsin

3:05 CT – No word has been received by Sikh24 on the well being of Guru Sahib’s Sarroop (The Sikh Holy Scripture that is the 11th and eternal Guru).

3:02 CT – Statement by WSO on shootings in Wisconsin.

3:00 CT – NYPD increasing security following the shooting in Wisconsin.Early reports described the gunman as a white male in his 30s but this is not confirmed at the moment

2:58 CT – Surinder Singh providing background information about Sikh religion on CNN.

2:53 CT – CNN to provide background information about Sikhs after commercial break.

2:51 CT – Sangat is now asking themselves “What did we do wrong? Was this a random act of violence?” Sangat is not afraid to go back to the Gurdwara.

2:49 CT – Shooting occurred around the end of the Akhand Paaht that is held weekly

2:47 CT – Sangat still doesn’t know exactly who are inside – Sangat says 25 people may be hurt and inside.

2:41 CT – People on the scene believed that there were multiple shooters but at this time police believe there was only 1 shooter – police to update media shortly.

2:39 CT – Don Lemon clarifies saying Sikhs are not Hindu or Muslim.

2:35 CT – Muslim community offers condolences to Sikhs

2:34 CT – 20-25 women, half a dozen children now in basement with authorities. Initial reports indicated a bald shooter.

2:33 CT – People seen exiting the Gurdwara.

2:32 CT – Police officer is still in surgery and in critical condition.

2:31 CT – CNN reports 50 people were inside the Gurdwara at the time of the shooting. Community and Gurdwara leaders heading to the hospital. People inside Gurdwara are being questioned by authorities.

2:27 CT – Sikhs outside the Gurdwara are handing out water to the police, media, and random strangers who are in the area. Even in the middle of an attack Sikhs continue to do seva.

2:26 CT – Listening to witnesses the first person to see the shooter was a 10 year old kid.

2:23 CT – People on the premises who were witnesses are in the basement and are speaking with police officers.

2:21 CT – Swat teams are checking everywhere in case there is another shooter hidden in the ceiling or in case the shooter is actually hiding with the victims. Because there was evidence of shootings from multiple shots in multiple locations the police have to assume there may be more than 1 shooter.

2:18 CT – CNN mistakenly refers to the Gurdwara as a Hindu-Sikh institution.

2:17 CT – Indian Embassy says they are in touch with the National Security Council in DC and has deputed an official to go visit the scene.

2:11 CT – FOXNews just referred to the Gurdwara as a “Mosque” before correcting themselves – and we wonder why there is mistaken identity.

2:08 CT – President Obama has been notified about the situation.

2:00 CT – Police chief doesn’t know if there are other shooters, police tactical teams are inside the Gurdwara making sweeps inside.

1:56 CT – Police are saying that the situation is contained but no word or resolution just yet.

1:55 CT – Shooter engaged fire with police officer outside of the Gurdwara, that gunman is assumed to be dead. 4 people killed inside, Sangat started running outside – 3 people killed outside, 1 of them being the shooter. Police still not sure if there are other gunmen and are searching the Gurdwara inch by inch.

1:45 CT – Police chief (Brad Wentlandt) says at 10:25 am CT multiple calls went out to the police. 25 year police veteran was first to arrive on scene, officer received multiple shots and killed 1 shooter. The police officer is currently in surgery. Police confirm 7 dead, 1 being the shooter, 4 dead inside Gurdwara, 3 outside (1 is the shooter). Police are unsure if there is another shooter.

1:40 CT – Police have asked media to not show live footage of the scene due to the ongoing nature of events.

1:35 CT – Breaking News: Some reports say a Sikh priest visiting from New Delhi, India shot dead

1:30 CT – Rajwant Singh (Chairman, Sikh Council on Religion & Education) says that mostly women and children were inside as they were preparing Langar and getting ready for the Punjabi school. Sikhs have been worried that such an occurrence would occur post 9/11 due to people confusing Sikhs with Arabs or Muslims. Rajwant Singh reminds us that the first person killed after 9/11 was a Sikh.

1:21 CT – President’s son Amardeep Kaleka says the Gurdwara’s Granthi picked up phone to explain that his father (Satwant Singh Kaleka) had been shot. Granthi told Amardeep Kaleka that there were multiple shooters of caucasian descent (this is not confirmed).

1:19 CT – Victims’ family says that there are multiple shooters, and the event was well orchestrated and not a haphazard occurrence. One of the shooters may have gone towards the kitchen to release gas. Victims’ family are relaying information from inside to the FBI.

1:13 CT – 3 victims at hospital – 2 with gun shot wounds, all 3 victims in critical condition. Freedtert Hospital is expecting more victims.

1:10 CT – Utility workers seen on seen, perhaps to remove gas / electricity connections

1:04 CT – One suspect shot and down unsure about more suspects.

One police officers who attended was shot multiple times, returned shootings and suspect is down on site. Police officer rushed to hospital and is expected to survive.

Police tactical unit trying to establish if other suspect shooters are still present in building.

10:25 CT – First call goes out to Police