Press Statements of various political leaders on tragic Sikh Temple shooting in Wisconsin

At 4:30PM EDT, the President convened a call with FBI Director Bob Mueller, Chief of Staff Jack Lew, and Homeland Security Advisor John Brennan to receive an update on the tragic shooting in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Following that briefing, the President called Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, Oak Creek Mayor Steve Scaffidi and trustee of the Sikh Temple Charanjeet Singh to express his condolences for the lives lost and his concern for those who were injured.

During the briefing, the President was informed that the situation at the Sikh Temple was under control and that the lone gunmen was killed by an Oak Creek police officer. The President also was updated on the condition of some of the victims of the attack, and he directed that the federal government assist as appropriate in the investigation into the shooting. The President said that he wanted to make sure that as we denounce this senseless act of violence we also underscore how much our country has been enriched by our Sikh Community, who are an integral part of our broader American family.

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. – President 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.

Patch reports that South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R), whose parents are practicing Sikhs, put out a statement on Facebook:

It’s very sad to see something like this happen to a peaceful place of worship. Our prayers and condolences go out to the families of the innocent victims and the family of the heroic officer in this senseless tragedy.

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker ordered flags to half-staff to remember and mourn the tragic events at Oak Creek. In a statement, Walker sai:

“The people of Wisconsin join the Sikh community in mourning those killed yesterday and in remembering their lives,” said Governor Scott Walker. “As our state comes together to care for the survivors, our hope is that the families and the whole Oak Creek community find healing and strength in the memory of their loved ones.”

Scott Walker Cancels Monday Event: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) was scheduled to hold a health care event at a community clinic in Green Bay on Monday. His office said they were canceling it, in light of the shooting in Oak Creek.

Mayor Steve Scaffidi said it will take some time for the community to heal. A memorial event is planned on Tuesday during National Night Out, which will be held as scheduled.

“You’re going to feel the effects of this for a long time,” he said. “We’re going to work toward healing.”

Scaffidi said he did not have any previous contacts with the Sikh Temple but knew them as a “great member of the community” that did not have past problems in Oak Creek. The Sikh Temple moved here about five years ago.

     House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said she is “devastated” by the mass shootings in Oak Creek, Wis., but said when it comes to revisiting the issue of gun control, Congress just doesn’t have the votes to pass any laws.

“The votes aren’t there for gun control,” she said. “We certainly aren’t going to be able to do it in this Congress, and I don’t know that we would be able to do it in a Democratic Congress because it takes a lot of votes to go down that path.”

     This is a tragic day for our city and for all communities of faith who share grief and concern for the victims of today’s shooting and their loved ones. We also share a deep gratitude to our law enforcement officers. Our prayers are with Milwaukee’s entire Sikh community and we wish them comfort and peace.‬

My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and everyone in Oak Creek who has been impacted by this tragic act of violence.

“I am deeply saddened by today’s events which took the lives of these innocent members of our community. My thoughts and prayers remain with the families of those that have lost loved ones as well as the families of those injured in this senseless act of violence. “I will continue to monitor this situation as it develops.”

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), the state’s junior senator, responded to the Oak Creek shooting in a statement, saying, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the families of yet another senseless act of violence in America. I have full confidence in the legal authorities that will be investigating this heinous crime.”

His statement on Sunday’s shooting:

I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families and community of those injured and killed in today’s tragic shooting, and I join the people of Wisconsin and the entire Sikh-American community in mourning. There is no room in any society for such violence.

While we do not yet know the motivations of this senseless act and it’s important to wait for more information from law enforcement, we do know that Sikh-Americans are too often the victims of intolerance and hate. Today we all grieve for those lost in this tragic event.

     “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.”

— FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Teresa Carlson

Brady Campaign President Dan Gross today released the following statement in response to the mass shooting at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin:

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their loved ones, and the entire community of Oak Creek after today’s terrible shooting at the Oak Creek Sikh Temple in Wisconsin. This is yet another powerful reminder of the need for a real national conversation about what we can do to prevent gun violence tragedies, and for our elected officials and presidential candidates to participate in that conversation by offering real plans to do something about it. There have now been 61 mass shootings since the tragedy last year in Tucson and 100 school shootings since the one at Columbine High School. Tomorrow, another 32 Americans will be murdered by guns.

The American people from across the political spectrum are calling for solutions. We know that we are better than this. It is time for our elected officials and presidential candidates to show us that they know it too.

United Kingdom Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt is deeply saddened about the shooting at a Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.