Elk Grove Shooting Investigated As Possible Hate Crime; Muslim Organization Offers Reward

[BiggChan]

Elk Grove shooting investigated as possible hate crime; Muslim organization offers reward

Michael Bott, Desk Editor

March 6, 2011

?

ELK GROVE, CA - The Elk Grove Police Department is investigating the shooting of two elderly Sikh men as a possible hate crime, said Police Chief Robert M. Lehner in a written statement.

While there is no evidence that suggests hate was a motive for the shooting, police said no evidence points to an alternative motive, either.

 in a drive-by shooting while strolling through their neighborhood. Singh was pronounced dead at the scene. Atwal remains in critical condition.

Chief Lehner said the local FBI office has been notified because biased-motivated crimes are violations of both Federal and State law.

"At present, we have no evidence to indicate there was a hate or bias motivation for this crime; however, the obvious Sikh appearance of the men, including the traditional Dastar headwear and lack of any other apparent motive, increasingly raise that possibility," Lehner said.

The Sacramento Valley Council of American Islamic Relations offered a $5,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the perpetrators.

"The Muslim community offers its condolences and support to the Sikh community in this time of sorrow," CAIR-SV Executive Director Basim Elkarra said in a statement.

Elkarra said Sikh men with beards and turbans are often targeted for discrimination by bigots who mistake them for Muslims.

Lehner said representatives from the police department will meet with members of the Sikh community to address any concerns they may have.

"The City of Elk Grove is a marvelously diverse community and the possibility that one of our valued community groups might have been targeted because of their national origin or religion is of grave concern," Lehner said.

Police have not identified any suspects at this time. They said the crime scene at East Stockton Boulevard and Geneva Pointe Drive has yielded little evidence, and ask anyone with information to come forward.

http://m.news10.net/localnews/article?a=126787&f=1267

[gurdssingh]

Elk Grove shooting investigated as possible hate crime; Muslim organization offers reward

Michael Bott, Desk Editor

March 6, 2011

?

ELK GROVE, CA - The Elk Grove Police Department is investigating the shooting of two elderly Sikh men as a possible hate crime, said Police Chief Robert M. Lehner in a written statement.

While there is no evidence that suggests hate was a motive for the shooting, police said no evidence points to an alternative motive, either.

 in a drive-by shooting while strolling through their neighborhood. Singh was pronounced dead at the scene. Atwal remains in critical condition.

Chief Lehner said the local FBI office has been notified because biased-motivated crimes are violations of both Federal and State law.

"At present, we have no evidence to indicate there was a hate or bias motivation for this crime; however, the obvious Sikh appearance of the men, including the traditional Dastar headwear and lack of any other apparent motive, increasingly raise that possibility," Lehner said.

The Sacramento Valley Council of American Islamic Relations offered a $5,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the perpetrators.

"The Muslim community offers its condolences and support to the Sikh community in this time of sorrow," CAIR-SV Executive Director Basim Elkarra said in a statement.

Elkarra said Sikh men with beards and turbans are often targeted for discrimination by bigots who mistake them for Muslims.

Lehner said representatives from the police department will meet with members of the Sikh community to address any concerns they may have.

"The City of Elk Grove is a marvelously diverse community and the possibility that one of our valued community groups might have been targeted because of their national origin or religion is of grave concern," Lehner said.

Police have not identified any suspects at this time. They said the crime scene at East Stockton Boulevard and Geneva Pointe Drive has yielded little evidence, and ask anyone with information to come forward.

http://m.news10.net/localnews/article?a=126787&f=1267

Why havent sikh community took same steps as muslims in offering a reward or have they? Just in article its not mentioned.

[S1ngh]

Sikh community offered more than 10K (got it from different news source) but i am also hearing that reward will go more than 30K from sac city gurdwara sahib. i lived in that city for couple of years and i am guessing from previous incidents involving vicious beatings of cab drivers and so on.. This hate crime probably committed by hispanic gang..Police department should immediately declare this as hate crime and take help from federal agents...

[TavPrasad Singh]

Very sad, benti to Sikh Television Channels to raise this issue and create awareness. These Singhs who were murdered are our grandfathers and totally innocent. Guruji bless them and their families.....

[VanHelsingh]

Very sad.