Obama "deeply saddened" by Wisconsin shooting

Updated: 2012-08-06 08:09

(Xinhua)

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WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama said on Sunday that he was deeply saddened by the tragic shooting incident at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, which left at least seven people killed and three others injured.

"Our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who were killed and wounded," Obama said in a statement released by the White House, adding that his administration would provide whatever support needed to the officials who are responding to the incident and moving forward with an investigation.

The tragedy came just half a month after a shocking mass shooting at a Colorado movie theater that claimed 12 lives and wounded nearly 60. The July 20 shooting rampage was believed to be the worst ever in US history.

Obama was notified of the Wisconsin shooting early in the afternoon by his Homeland Security Advisor John Brennan, and continued to receive updates on the incident, White House officials said.

At least seven people, including a suspected gunman, were killed in the Wisconsin temple shooting on Sunday, local police confirmed.

Four people were found dead inside the temple, and three others outside, including the gunman who was fatally shot by a police officer in the exchange of fire, said the police. Three injured people including one police officer were in critical condition at a local hospital.

Though not much information -- including the gunman's identity and motives or how the shooting actually happened -- was immediately available, Wisconsin police have announced that they are treating the temple shooting as a "domestic terrorist type incident."

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