On a peaceful Sunday morning, August 5, 2012, the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek became a scene of terror and tragedy. Among the victims of the senseless act of violence that day was Suveg Singh Khattra, an 84-year-old Southwest Asian man of Indian descent. A former farmer from northern India, Khattra had moved to the United States eight years prior to live with his son and his family.
He was a constant and beloved presence at the temple, where his son, a taxi driver, would drop him off daily to pray.
Khattra, who spoke no English, communicated with friends and neighbors through gestures, and was known for his humble and loving nature. He was a devout man who would arrive early at the Gurdwara and stay late into the evening, finding companionship among the congregation by inquiring about their families and sharing uplifting scriptures. His daily routine included waking at 4:30 a.m. to watch the news and a live broadcast of readings from the Sikh holy book before heading to the temple to pray and help prepare meals.
The perpetrator of the horrific attack was identified as 40-year-old Wade Michael Page, an American white supremacist and U.S. Army veteran. Page, who had ties to neo-Nazi groups and played in white power bands, opened fire on the worshippers, killing six people and wounding several others. The attack was a shock to the tight-knit community, a place where visitors were always welcomed to observe and share a meal. During the chaos, Khattra's daughter-in-law hid with other women in a pantry. After being evacuated by a SWAT team, she tragically saw her father-in-law's body lying on the ground.
There were no arrests in the shooting as the suspect, Wade Michael Page, died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head after being shot in the stomach by a police officer. The FBI investigated the shooting and concluded that Page acted alone, though his specific motive remains unclear. The incident drew widespread condemnation, including from President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
