The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund and the Sikh American community released this statement on the shooting at the Sikh temple in Oak Creek:

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the Oak Creek community following this tragic attack at the Oak Creek, Wisconsin Gurdwara. The Sikh American community, like all Americans, is shocked after this attack. We mourn the loss of those killed today and pray for the swift recovery of the those injured, including the veteran police officer who put himself in harms way to protect his community.

"Houses of worship, like the gurdwara, are places of peace. Attacks at any of the nation's houses of worship must be condemned by all Americans. This type of crime strikes at the very foundation of religious tolerance, the principle upon which this country was built.

"We thank our friends and neighbors from across the country for the outpouring of support and condolences as we come together to recover from the attack."