After a mass shooting at a Wisconsin Sikh temple Sunday left seven people dead, numerous individuals and organizations have stepped in to support victims and families.
A handful of funds have now been established to help the victims of what police are treating as a domestic terrorism incident, according to CBS. There's also speculation that it may be a hate crime, as the shooter, Wade Michael Page, had been part of the white-supremacist band called End Apathy.
Page, a 40-year-old former U.S. Army member, was killed after killing six people and leaving three in critical condition, according to CBS.
Lt. Brian Murphy, the first officer on the scene, is being hailed a hero after being shot at least nine times, yet instructing fellow officers to focus on other victims, ABC reports. A fund has been set up in his honor.
As members begin mourning the loss of fellow worshippers, they're also trying to reconcile how a sacred space reserved for prayer could so quickly turn into a scene of an unspeakable crime.
"We don't think it's something that's going to happen to you, especially in a place of worship, a place where I go to talk to God and to find peace and to show my love and serve others," said Kanwardit Kaleka, the temple president's nephew.
Amardeep Kaleka told ABC they plan to reopen the temple, which his father would have wanted.
See below for ways to support Murphy, honor Kaleka, and help others affected:
Help Cover Funeral Costs
Amardeep Kaleka, the son of Satwant Singh, the president of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, created an online fundraiser "We Are Sikhs" to help cover funeral costs for victims. Singh died along with five other members in the shooting Sunday. None of the money will go to the Kaleka family, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Donations accepted here.
Support Victims
An Indiegogo fund will benefit the temple shooting victims, their families and injured police offer Lt. Brian Murphy. Donors' contributions will be held in an escrow account until August 30, at which time the fundraiser's organizers will allocate the funds to those in need, Fox News reports. According to the Indiegogo site: "It will take some time before the precise needs of the Milwaukee Sangat are enumerated. We plan to work closely with the local Sikh community and doctors to determine the best way to distribute funds."
Donations accepted here.
Contribute to a Memorial Fund
The Sikh Temple of Wisconsin has set up a victims fund, where people can send donations via mail to Victims Memorial Fund c/o Sikh Temple, 7512 S. Howell Ave., Oak Creek, WI 53154.
Support advocates
Sikhs for Justice, a national human rights organization, vowed to make a $10,000 award to Lt. Brian Murphy, who was injured in the shooting. "Our government must take urgent steps to educate the country about the Sikh population and help put an end to these horrific and deadly acts of violence. Our organization, Sikhs for Justice, is proudly pledging a $10,000 award to Lieutenant Brian Murphy, the officer wounded in the incident."
Support their work here.
Photos from the scene:
