The Wisconsin Sikh temple shootings happened a day before the local Sikh community was to hold its annual youth camp at the Renton .
The murders - six killed before the gunman shot himself - cast a pall over the camp leaders and campers half a country away.
Camper Skyelar Head, 13, said he “felt really disappointed. I was wondering what type of person would think of going somewhere and killing people. Why did he go after six and not more? It's really confusing."
Camp leader Parminder Jassal asked the Renton Police to provide an officer for the first few days of the camp--in case of copycats. "It was very scary to think our camp started the next day," he said.
But then a strange thing happened: In the days since the , dozens of local citizens have drifted by the Renton temple to pay their respects. One elderly man, Jassal said, came to the Gurudwara with flowers to bless the congregation.
The community outreach has been nothing short of remarkable, Jassal said.
In a letter to temple members, Renton Mayor Denis Law said the community stands with the congregation. "The attack in Wisconsin against the Sikh community was terrorism and I strongly condemn it," he wrote.
"Each one of us must stand up against hate and racism."
for a vigil in Oak Creek, Wis., at the end of Tuesday's National Night Out to remember the victims.
A local vigil is planned for Saturday, Aug. 11, at the in Renton.
The event is 7:30-8:30 p.m., and will include spiritual singing and a presentation on the Sikh faith, according to the group's Facebook invitation:
In solidarity with and in memory of the victims of the tragedy, the Sikh community of Washington State is holding a vigil at Gurudwara Singh Sabha of Renton on Saturday at 7:30 - 8:30pm. The Sikh community would like to invite members of the general public, as well as members of the media, to join us in commemorating this event.
The event is at 5200 Talbot Road South, Renton, and will be followed by the traditional meal that is eaten after the Sikh service.
