Oak Creek Sikh Temple of Wisconsin mass shooting victims honored 10 years later

OAK CREEK, Wis. – The religion of Sikh Temple of Wisconsin members was examined Aug. 5, 2012, when a white supremacist opened fireplace in Oak Creek, killing six. A seventh sufferer died of his wounds in 2020.

Aug. 5, 2022 marks 10 years because the tragedy, and the household of 1 sufferer mentioned the time has supplied them some perspective. 

Pardeep Singh Kaleka and his spouse, Jaspreet, have each turn out to be vocal in condemning hate. They mentioned they’re grateful for the great that has come from this, however too many communities are feeling the identical ache.

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Because the calendar turns yr after yr, an emotional cycle brings the Kaleka household again to Aug. 5, 2012. 

“It is form of our native 9/11,” mentioned Kaleka. 

Kaleka was on his strategy to the temple, able to drop off his daughter for Sunday faculty after they rotated. She’d forgotten her pocket book at residence.

“He would’ve simply usually had mentioned, ‘Simply borrow a bit of paper. You are not taking intensive notes. Simply borrow paper,’ however for no matter motive, that day, he rotated and mentioned, ‘Let’s go get your pocket book,’” mentioned Jaspreet Kaleka. 

That call possible saved them from the white supremacist who attacked the Sikh Temple proper round 10:30 a.m., killing 4 individuals inside and three individuals exterior.

Pardeep Kaleka’s father, Satwant, the temple’s founder, was among the many deceased.

“I can keep in mind the sensation, the chaos, the times to observe, after which truthfully, any time something occurs with a taking pictures or something, it places you proper again within the second,” mentioned Jaspreet Kaleka. 

The Kalekas say one thing so tragic has helped present them what’s vital in life, like appreciation for individuals who helped, together with Oak Creek Police Lieutenant Brian Murphy. The primary responding officer was shot 15 occasions and survived.

“We do not take days without any consideration,” mentioned Pardeep Kaleka. “We do not take relationships without any consideration.”

They are not taking the victims without any consideration, both, hoping constructive change shall be their legacy.

“We now have modified laws,” mentioned Pardeep Kaleka. “We now have modified insurance policies and techniques. What we’ve not modified are hearts and minds.”

There are occasions all week to honor those that died. The Interfaith Council is internet hosting a discussion board on hate Thursday night time at Oak Creek Metropolis Corridor. The Sikh Temple is then internet hosting a vigil Friday night time at 6 p.m. earlier than a celebration of life on Saturday.