ISKCON temple in US' Utah targeted in gunfire
The ISKCON Radha Krishna temple in Spanish Fork, Utah has come under attack in suspected hat crime, the organisation said on Tuesday. The statement said that about 20-30 bullets were fired at the temple building and the surrounding properties over the past few days.
ISKCON said that the incidents occurred during night time, while devotees and guests were present inside. The attacks have resulted in damages worth thousands of dollars, including to the temple’s hand-carved arches, said Vaibhavi Devi Dasi, co-founder of the temple.
The temple staff heard a loud noise on June 18 and observed smoke coming from the temple’s radio station roof, but could not confirm its cause.
However, days later, a bullet hole was discovered in one of the temple windows, with the bullet traveling into a wall of the main worship space. More bullet holes were found in the building’s arches, and about 20 shell casings were recovered from the road just outside the temple’s security fence, the organisations said in a statement.
Surveillance footage revealed a pickup truck parked in front of the property on the night of the shooting, though no suspect has been identified, it added.
Utah County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident and has increased patrols at the site.
In response to the attacks, the temple is enhancing its safety measures. GARD, a security company in Springville, has offered to send a security surveillance truck to the Temple for two weeks free of charge.
A $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction, and temple officials urge nearby residents to report any gunfire in the area, ISKCON said.
Meanwhile, the Consulate General of India in San Francisco condemned the incident, calling for local authorities to take prompt action to bring the perpetrators to justice.
ISKCON said that the incidents occurred during night time, while devotees and guests were present inside. The attacks have resulted in damages worth thousands of dollars, including to the temple’s hand-carved arches, said Vaibhavi Devi Dasi, co-founder of the temple.
The temple staff heard a loud noise on June 18 and observed smoke coming from the temple’s radio station roof, but could not confirm its cause.
However, days later, a bullet hole was discovered in one of the temple windows, with the bullet traveling into a wall of the main worship space. More bullet holes were found in the building’s arches, and about 20 shell casings were recovered from the road just outside the temple’s security fence, the organisations said in a statement.
Surveillance footage revealed a pickup truck parked in front of the property on the night of the shooting, though no suspect has been identified, it added.
Utah County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident and has increased patrols at the site.
In response to the attacks, the temple is enhancing its safety measures. GARD, a security company in Springville, has offered to send a security surveillance truck to the Temple for two weeks free of charge.
A $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction, and temple officials urge nearby residents to report any gunfire in the area, ISKCON said.
Meanwhile, the Consulate General of India in San Francisco condemned the incident, calling for local authorities to take prompt action to bring the perpetrators to justice.
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