OAK CREEK, WI -- Sikhs across the country are saying that the fatal shooting of six members of a suburban Milwaukee Sikh temple has increased fears of violence that have existed since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The shootings happened about 10:30 a.m. as people were gathering for a service at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek, which is just south of Milwaukee.
President Barack Obama says he and first lady Michelle Obama are "deeply saddened" by the killing of at least six people Sunday at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin.
While police have not identified the gunman, who was killed by police, or described a possible motive for the Wisconsin shootings, several leaders of Sikh organizations nationwide say the killings have brought to the surface fears that have lingered since 9/11 when some ignorant about their beliefs began mistaking them for potential terrorists.
In a statement issued by the White House, Obama tells the people of Oak Creek, Wis., that "the American people have them in our thoughts and prayers." He says, "Our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who were killed and wounded."
The president says his administration will provide "whatever support is necessary" to those investigating the shooting.
Mitt Romney, likely Republican challenger for the presidency, also expressed his sorrow about the shooting. He called it " a senseless act of violence and a tragedy that should never befall any house of worship." Romney said in a statement. "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."
Authorities evacuated parts of a neighborhood to search a home in Cudahy, a Milwaukee suburb, about six miles northeast of the Sikh temple.
The owner of one of the homes says authorities are targeting his property. Kurt Weins says authorities haven't told him why they're searching his duplex or whether it's related to the shooting. He says he rented the duplex's upper unit to a man about a month ago. He wouldn't identify the tenant.
Milwaukee County sheriff's spokeswoman Fran McLaughlin says the department's bomb squad was also on the scene, but has no details about why it was called.
Oak Creek Police Chief John Edwards says the suspect "ambushed" one of the first officers to arrive at the temple as the officer tended to a shooting victim.
Edwards says the suspect shot the officer multiple times and a second officer then exchanged gunfire with the suspect and fatally shot him.
Edwards says the officer who was ambushed is undergoing surgery at a nearby hospital and is expected to survive.
Police say the FBI will handle the investigation of shootings, which is being treated as a domestic terrorism case and the FBI is better equipped to handle that.
Edwards said during a news conference Sunday afternoon that seven people are dead, including the suspected shooter, and three people are wounded. One of those is a police officer shot by the suspect.
(Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.)
