New York: The man suspected of shooting and killing six people at a gurudwara near Milwaukee in Wisconsin, USA, has been identified as a former Army soldier Wade Michael Page, say US media reports.
Sources say he was an Army veteran who may have been a white supremacist. Page was reduced in rank before his discharge about 12 years ago, according to a defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to release information yet about the suspect.
The official said that Page entered the Army in 1992 and was discharged in 1998. The official said the man had been busted in rank from sergeant to specialist, but gave no reason.
The motive for the attack is not known but the FBI is investigating the shooting as a possible act of terror. At least three of the 20 people injured are in critical state. Police have recovered two semi-automatic handguns from the scene.
More than 400 people were reportedly inside the gurudwara when the shooting occurred. Among those killed was a Sikh priest who had come from India to address the gathering on Sunday. A policeman who killed the gunman is also in critical condition.
A Sikh rights group has announced $ 10,000 reward for the police officer who saved many lives during the rescue. US President Barack Obama has mourned the shootin, saying, the US has been enriched by the Sikh community. My Administration will provide whatever support is necessary to the officials who are responding to this tragic shooting and moving forward with an investigation."
Meanwhile Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Delhi said, "We hope that the authorities will reach out to the grieving families and ensure conditions that such violent acts are not repeated in the future."
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had on Sunday described as "deeply painful and shocking" the attack by gunmen on devotees at a gurudwara in the US and urged the authorities there to ensure that the sanctity of religious shrines is maintained.
Additional Inputs From AP
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