Reward For Information in Attack on Salem Sikh Temple
By SSNews, katu
Oct 20, 2006, 15:33
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for an arson attack at the Dasmesh Darbar Sikh Temple located at 860 Oakhill Street, SE, in Salem, Oregon. The attack happened at about 6:30 a.m. on July 22, 2006.
The FBI considers it a hate crime because investigators believe the person or people involved targeted the building and grounds because of their religious nature.
Most significantly, the attackers targeted the religious item called the Nishan Sahib at the Temple. The Nishan Sahib is a pole, decorated with orange saffron fabric and topped by a "Khanda", one of the most sacred symbols in the Sikh faith.
The person or people involved uprooted the Nishan Sahib from its location, moved it to another part of the property, leaned it against a cyclone fence and set the fabric on fire. Burning remnants from the pole apparently fell in the area and set a nearby tree on fire as well.
Other incidents at the temple included a pipe fitting that was pulled from the side of the building, resulting in damage to the siding and insulation. Also, a flood light was smashed, and landscaped flower beds were torn up with the flowers being discarded on the asphalt driveway.
The FBI and Salem Police Department are investigating this case jointly.
Anyone with information about this hate crime or those who may be responsible for it are asked to call the Salem Police Department's hotline at (503) 588-TIPS or the FBI at (503) 362-6601.
By SSNews, katu
Oct 20, 2006, 15:33
The FBI considers it a hate crime because investigators believe the person or people involved targeted the building and grounds because of their religious nature.
Most significantly, the attackers targeted the religious item called the Nishan Sahib at the Temple. The Nishan Sahib is a pole, decorated with orange saffron fabric and topped by a "Khanda", one of the most sacred symbols in the Sikh faith.
The person or people involved uprooted the Nishan Sahib from its location, moved it to another part of the property, leaned it against a cyclone fence and set the fabric on fire. Burning remnants from the pole apparently fell in the area and set a nearby tree on fire as well.
Other incidents at the temple included a pipe fitting that was pulled from the side of the building, resulting in damage to the siding and insulation. Also, a flood light was smashed, and landscaped flower beds were torn up with the flowers being discarded on the asphalt driveway.
The FBI and Salem Police Department are investigating this case jointly.
Anyone with information about this hate crime or those who may be responsible for it are asked to call the Salem Police Department's hotline at (503) 588-TIPS or the FBI at (503) 362-6601.
