Wisconsin Sikh temple shooting

Police SWAT officers surround the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin where a gunman stormed the building and opened fire on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012, in Oak Creek, Wis. Authorities say at least seven people were killed after the gunman opened fire on congregants in the Milwaukee suburb. Three people were rushed to an area hospital, in critical condition.

Police were called to the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin on the morning of Aug. 5, 2012, after a gunman opened fire on the congregation. At least seven people were killed in the shooting. Authorities said the suspect, who exchanged gunfire with a responding police officer, "was put down."

Police SWAT officers surround the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, where a gunman stormed the mass and opened fire on Aug. 5, 2012, in Oak Creek, Wis. Reports of possible additional gunmen led to an hours-long sweep of the area.

A woman reacts with others as they await word on a shooting at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wis., on Aug. 5, 2012, where police and witnesses describe a chaotic situation. Police say emergency medical personnel have identified seven people dead - four inside the temple and three outside. The suspect was among the dead.

Police personnel move outside the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wis., where a shooting took place on Aug 5, 2012. Seven people, including the suspected shooter, were killed; three people were injured and rushed to an area hospital.

Police stand guard as bystanders watch at the scene of a shooting inside a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wis., on Aug. 5, 2012. The temple, in a community south of Milwaukee along Lake Michigan, has up to 400 members.

Bystanders stand outside the scene of a shooting inside The Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wis., on Aug. 5, 2012.

Police personnel move outside the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wis, where a shooting took place on Aug. 5, 2012.

Bystanders looks on as SWAT officers surround the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin where a gunman stormed a mass and opened fire on Aug. 5, 2012, in Oak Creek, Wis.

Bystanders are directed by police officers as SWAT officers surround the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin where a gunman stormed a mass and opened fire on Aug. 5, 2012, in Oak Creek, Wis. At least seven people, including the suspected shooter, were killed. A number of victims have been rushed to an area hospital for treatment.

An FBI armored vehicle drives past a home near the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin where a gunman stormed a mass and opened fire on Aug. 5, 2012, in Oak Creek, Wis. At least seven people, including the suspected gunman, were killed and three people were injured and rushed to an area hospital. Authorities say the suspected gunman wounded one responding officer, and was later killed by another.

Police guard the front of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin where a gunman fired upon people at a service on Aug. 5, 2012, in Oak Creek, Wis. At least seven people, including the suspected gunman, were killed.

People look on in front of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin where a gunman fired upon people at a service on Aug. 5, 2012, in Oak Creek, Wis.

Bystanders looks on as SWAT officers surround the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin where a gunman stormed a mass and opened fire on Aug. 5, 2012, in Oak Creek, Wis.

Bystanders sit in the shade at the scene of a shooting inside the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, in Oak Creek, Wis, on Aug. 5, 2012. Greenfield Police Chief Bradley Wentlandt said tactical officers have been through the temple where shots were fired about 10:30 a.m. Sunday. He said they found four deceased individuals inside the building and three outside.

The scene outside the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek, where seven people were shot dead, on Aug. 5, 2012.

Sikhism is a monotheistic faith that was founded in South Asia more than 500 years ago. It has roughly 27 million followers worldwide. Observant Sikhs do not cut their hair; male followers often cover their heads with turbans - which are considered sacred - and refrain from shaving their beards.

Left: A man wipes away tears outside the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wis. where a shooting took place on Aug. 5, 2012.

Sikh rights groups have reported a rise in bias attacks since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The Washington-based Sikh Coalition has reported more than 700 incidents in the U.S. since 9/11, which advocates blame on anti-Islamic sentiment. Sikhs don't practice the same religion as Muslims, but their long beards and turbans often cause them to be mistaken for Muslims, advocates say.

Police work outside the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin where at least one gunman stormed the mass and opened fire on Aug. 5, 2012, Oak Creek, Wis.

A woman wipes away a tear in front of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin where at least one gunman stormed the mass and opened fire on Aug. 5, 2012, Oak Creek, Wis.

A tactical officer runs to position as SWAT officers surround the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin where at least one gunman fired upon people at a service on Aug. 5, 2012, Oak Creek, Wis.

A police officer directs people near the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin where at least one gunman stormed the mass and opened fire on Aug. 5, 2012, Oak Creek, Wis.

A police officer talks with bystanders outside the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin where at least one gunman fired upon people at a service on Aug. 5, 2012, Oak Creek, Wis.

Police work outside the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin where at least one gunman stormed the mass and opened fire on Aug. 5, 2012, Oak Creek, Wis.

People mill around in front of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin where at least one gunman fired upon people at a service on Aug. 5, 2012, Oak Creek, Wis.

An ambulance drives down Howell Ave SWAT officers surround the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin where at least one gunman fired upon people at a service on Aug. 5, 2012, Oak Creek, Wis.

Bystanders looks on as SWAT officers surround the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin where at least one gunman stormed a mass and opened fire on Aug. 5, 2012, Oak Creek, Wis.

A bystander looks on as SWAT officers surround the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin where at least one gunman stormed a mass and opened fire on Aug. 5, 2012, Cudahy, Wis.

Various police personnel walk away from the site just outside of where swat teams had surrounded the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin where a gunman stormed the mass and opened fire on Aug. 5, 2012, Cudahy, Wis.

Police secure a neighborhood where the gunman lived who is suspected of opening fire at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin on Aug. 5, 2012, Cudahy, Wis.

Bystanders looks on as SWAT officers surround the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin where at least one gunman stormed a mass and opened fire on Aug. 5, 2012, Oak Creek, Wis.