• Faithe Colas

The Salvation Army Serves at Sikh Temple Shooting in Wisconsin

Oak Creek, WS (August 5, 2012) - At 2:12 PM CDT, Mike Johnson of the Milwaukee, Wisconsin Sentinel-Journal reported that “The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services Team was on site of a mass shooting at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, providing refreshments and spiritual support to first responders and family members…near the temple.”

According to Fox News reports at the scene, seven people, including the gunman, were killed, with several others injured. Because authorities found no clear motive for the shooting, the scene was treated as a domestic terrorism incident, with investigators from the FBI, ATF and Wisconsin State and local Police and Firefighters all converging quickly on the site.

Stan Kelley, spokesperson for The Salvation Army said that, “The local police received their first call here about 10:30 AM. The Oak Creek Salvation Army Corps is less than a mile from the Sikh Temple, and they were quick to respond. A canteen from the Waukesha, Wisconsin Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) team responded and was at the scene by 11:00 AM. “

At 6:06 PM CDT, Kelley reported that the FBI had—only moments before—declared the site clear of other danger. Kelley said that “The Salvation Army has provided hydration, snacks and spiritual and emotional care to hundreds of first responders and survivors, who were not allowed to leave the site until cleared by the FBI, since we arrived at 11:00 AM.”

Kelley said that, “While the last few hours have been quite chaotic here, we have been able to help many. Now that the authorities have the situation under control, feeding and hydration will continue as long as needed. The Salvation Army’s EDS team will be able to set up a center for spiritual and emotional care for any who need help.”

About The Salvation Army:

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 82 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.