Washington, DC
 
The Embassy is closely monitoring  developments relating to the indiscriminate firing by a gunman at innocent worshippers in a Gurudwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin on August 5, 2012. We understand that four out of the six victims were Indian nationals, with one of them being a recent visitor from India.
 
External Affairs Minister SM Krishna spoke with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and conveyed the deep distress felt by the government and people of India on the tragic killings of innocent worshippers at the Gurudwara.  Secretary Clinton conveyed her sense of shock, sadness and personal condolence at the tragedy.
 
A senior official -  Datta Padsalgikar - Minister for Community Affairs in the Embassy - along with  Consul  NJ Gangte from the Indian Consulate in Chicago visited the site of the incident today, and interacted with local officials, FBI and community representatives. Appropriate consular assistance is also being provided.
 
The Chief Minister of Punjab Mr. Parkash Singh Badal called Ambassador Rao  this morning and was assured that the Embassy would offer all possible support to victims of the Oak Creek killings.

President Obama has ordered the US flag to be flown at half mast until August 10, 2012 in honour of the victims of the Oak Creek gurudwara attack.

Last evening, US Deputy National Security Adviser John Brennan also spoke with Ambassador Rao to convey “sincerest condolences” from President Obama. US Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman also telephoned the Ambassador “to express heartfelt condolences on the dastardly and horrible Oak Creek killings.”
 
The Embassy continues to be in close contact with the US authorities as we assist the victims and their families to deal with these unspeakably tragic circumstances.