'We Are All Sikhs': Vigil Held In Union Square For Wisconsin Temple Shooting Victims
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- From coast to coast, thousands gathered Wednesday to remember the victims of the Sikh temple shooting in Wisconsin.
The cross-country vigils came as new information was learned about the shooter's final moments.
Candles dotted the darkness in Union Square, where sadness was lifted by song and solidarity.
"It's hard to comprehend but it also, it feels far away, but it also feels close to home," Sasha Ahuj told CBS 2's Sean Hennessey.
Sunday's shooting rampage at the Wisconsin house of worship may have happened a thousand miles away, but it struck a chord in the country's largest Sikh community, where at least 1,000 came out to honor the six lives lost.
"Even in our adversity, we have to remember what our faith tells us and we have to go on," Meema Gajinder Singh said.
It was a vigil where attendees wore T-shirts that read "We Are All Sikhs" -- part of a nationwide show of support. That included vigils In Oak Creek, Wis., the scene of the rampage and in our nation's capital.
The hope of some attending the vigil was acceptance.
"We're a law-abiding country. You come in with your own beliefs, worship any god you want, but at the end of the day we're all Americans," said Satjot Sawhney.
Earlier, it was learned the alleged gunman, Wade Michael Page, didn't die from a police officer's bullet as initially thought, but instead was taken out by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to the authorities.
One of the responding officers, Brooklyn-born Brian Murphy, was shot multiple times at close range, but is now on the mend.
"He was up walking ... had him sitting up for a period of time. He's progressing amazingly," Oak Creek Police Chief John Edwards said.
Despite more than 100 interviews nationwide, investigators may never know the white supremacist's true motive. But for those at the Manhattan vigil, it seemed obvious.
"Going into a temple attacking only one particular group of people of one community shows that there was hate definitely involved in this," said Jejiemder Singh, of "United Sikhs."
Those who came to the vigil said they hope that by promoting peace, understanding and tolerance, the kind of hate displayed in Wisconsin never visits again.
Please offer your thoughts in the comments section below ...
