May 10, 2021 (Indianapolis, IN) — The Sikh Coalition continues our work in response to the April 15 shooting at an Indianapolis FedEx facility that killed eight people, including four Sikhs, and injured several more.
On Wednesday, May 6, we convened a meeting with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, and local Sikh community leaders to underscore the need for a thorough investigation of the shooting, including the possibility of bias as a motivation. At this point, the IMPD and FBI are continuing their investigation and will share updates with the community once they become available.
“This FedEx facility was well known to the shooter, and well known for employing a large number of Sikhs. From an IMPD investigation last year, we also know that officers were aware that the shooter visited white supremacist websites online. All of these factors must be thoroughly weighed when determining the shooter’s motives and mindset,” said Amrith Kaur, Sikh Coalition Legal Director. “Law enforcement cannot overlook the possibility that hate played a role in this attack, and these factors remain indicators of the urgency required in ensuring this investigation is comprehensive and transparent.”
In addition, the Sikh Coalition continues to coordinate with the local Indianapolis sangat and support those impacted by the tragedy, including providing critical and free legal assistance, connecting sangat members with mental health resources, engaging local and national U.S. press, and providing assistance with community events; last Saturday, we joined local Sikh organizers and other national Sikh organizations in supporting a memorial event at Lucas Oil Stadium. At the event, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb joined other elected officials, law enforcement officials, interfaith leaders, and representatives of the Indianapolis Sikh community in remembering the lives lost and those forever impacted by the shooting. Click here to learn more about all of this work.
We will provide further updates about the ongoing investigation into the April 15 mass shooting as they become available. For real-time information, please follow the Sikh Coalition on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. If you are looking for ways to support the sangat or have suggestions for resources, please reach out to contact@sikhcoalition.org.
The Sikh Coalition remains thankful to all in the community who have stepped up to support the Indianapolis sangat in their time of need.
As always, the Sikh Coalition urges you to practice your faith fearlessly.