Fatal Attack Against Sacramento Sikhs May Be Hate Crime
By Virginia L. Landry
Mar. 9, 2011 4:35p
Violent Assault Frightens Local Population
Panic has rocked a neighborhood after two elderly Sikh residents were assaulted by unidentified assailants.
The men, Surinder Singh, 68, and Gurmej Atwal, 78, were reportedly out for their habitual evening walk in Elk Grove, when they were shot by several suspects who have yet to be apprehended. Singh, who moved to the United States five years ago after making a aliving as a truck driver in Libya and India, was shot dead immediately in the attack. His companion, Atwal, is currently in critical condition.
Sacremento's extensive Sikh population is in the throes of fear and anger, believing the murderous attack to have been motivated by bigotry. A community meeting between several Gurudrawas to discuss the incident, led to an announcement of a $20,000 reward for information that leads to the capture and arrest of those responsible. They have also advised community members to refrain from wearing traditional clothing such as the payjama or the kurta, as it may make them a target for further violence.
Police Not Sure Of Motivations In Crime
Law enforcement officials say they cannot rule out the possibility of an ethnically motivated crime, but they do not have any concrete evidence as yet.
"At present we have no evidence to indicate there was a hate or bias motivation for this crime," Elk Grove Police Chief Robert M. Lehner told reporters in a press release. "However, the obvious Sikh appearance of the men, including the traditional Dastar headwear, and lack of any of any other apparent motive, increasingly raise that possibility."
As hate crimes are a potential federal offense, Elk Grove police officials have notified the local FBI office of the potential violation.
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