At least seven people have been killed and twenty injured as gunmen took over a Sikh temple outside Wisconsin, with many attendees reportedly having been taken hostage. Police report that they one of those killed was one of the gunmen. Four of those shot died inside the temple, while the three others were killed outside the building.
Three people, all adults, have been hospitalized with gun wounds into their faces, police report. They are all in critical condition.
One police officer has been shot several times, but is said to have survived, according to media reports from the scene.
As many as a hundred people were gathered at the Brookfield Temple for a morning service.
The first information from the scene came from the temple's head priest, who was reportedly locked in a restroom with a cell phone.
One of the gunmen has been described as white male, bald, with a stocky build.
And amid reports of multiple people having been shot inside the temple, some attendees appear to have been able to escape, though some remain inside. The temple was holding a special children's service today.
The temple was hosting a special guest from India today, locals told local media. A witness says several priests from the temple were injured in the shooting.
Witnesses at the scene say the attack seems to have been well coordinated.
Energy officials shut down the building's gas supply as a precautionary measure, witnesses told local news, while police have cordoned off the street where the temple is located until the situation is resolved.
Meanwhile, journalists are keeping a safe distance from the area in case the shooters have access to TV or radio.
The temple draws worshippers from as far as Chicago, St. Louis, Missouri, and Cincinnati, Ohio.
