Faith leaders react to FedEx shooting: ‘We grieve for the families’
A mass shooting in Indianapolis on April 15 that claimed the lives of eight FedEx employees—four of them Sikhs—has left the community stunned and in mourning.
About 90% of the workers at the FedEx warehouse near the Indianapolis International Airport are members of the local Sikh community, police said Friday.
It was not clear if Sikhs were targeted in the shooting, but the attack is another blow to the Asian-American community a month after authorities said six people of Asian descent were killed by a gunman in the Atlanta area and amid ongoing attacks against Asian Americans during the coronavirus pandemic.
The shooting comes almost a month after a mass shooting at a King Soopers supermarket in Boulder, Colorado, where 10 people were killed, including a local on-duty police officer.
The shooting is the deadliest incident of violence collectively in the Sikh community in the U.S. since 2012, when a white supremacist burst into a Sikh temple in Wisconsin and shot 10 people, killing seven. That gunman killed himself during a firefight with police.
The tragedy occurred in the same week Sikhs were celebrating Vaisakhi, a major holiday festival that among other things marks the date Sikhism was born as a collective faith.
Several dozen people gathered at the Olivet Missionary Baptist Church on the city’s west side Saturday afternoon to mourn and to call for action.
Meanwhile, reactions continue to pour in from national and local faith leaders:
SALDEF
“We are grieving the victims and those in the #Indianapolis community affected by last night’s horrific shooting – including our own Sikh sangat (community members). Our prayers are with the victim’s families and those impacted by yet another senseless act of violence.”
Satjeet Kaur, Sikh Coalition Executive Director
“We are deeply saddened to learn that Sikh community members are among those injured and killed by the gunman in Indianapolis last night. Our hearts and prayers are with their families, and we are in touch with community leaders, government and law enforcement officials to learn more. While we don’t yet know the motive or identity of the shooter, we expect that authorities will continue to conduct a full investigation—including the possibility of bias as a factor.”
Indianapolis Archbishop Charles C. Thompson
“Once again our nation is mourning the loss of lives in a mass shooting and this time it is eight of our own neighbors who were killed at the Indianapolis FedEx Ground center. We pray for the victims and loved ones of those who were murdered as well as those who were injured. We pray that these senseless acts of violence will stop. The U.S. Catholic Bishops have long supported changes in the law to control the sale and use of firearms. May we all recognize that we are made in the image and likeness of God and continue to do what we can to end this senseless violence and to live together in peace.”
The Rev. David Greene, president of the Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis
“The Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis Inc. extends our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the FedEx families impacted by the gun violence. Psalms 30:5b records, ‘Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.’ A person that departs from this earth never truly leaves, for they are still alive in our hearts and minds, through us they live on.
“This tragic event has impacted all of us when we have to deal the loss of innocent lives who were working to take care of themselves and their families. It is extremely disappointing that innocent people who were minding their own business has had their lives snatched away. Like many in our Indianapolis community, our organization is deeply saddened by this event. We grieve for the families of those who were killed, and hope and pray for the recovery of those that are injured.
We also grieve for our city, which is experiencing an epidemic of gun violence this year. I feel privileged to be able to channel my own personal grief and anger towards the support of those who I know will so expertly and compassionately work to alleviate human suffering. This is what we do. The Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis’ thoughts and prayers will continually be with the FedEx families.”
Faith Leaders in Indiana
The Rev. Richard Willoughby, president of Faith in Indiana, a network of faith leaders across race, faith, and geography committed to racial justice in Indiana and an affiliate of Faith in Action, released the following statement:
“As religious leaders from diverse faith traditions, we extend our deepest sympathies to the families forever transformed by this mass murder. We, and our communities, are also transformed. Condolences are not enough. Safety is possible for all of us. Governor Holcomb must go beyond thoughts and prayers and fund proven community-based solutions to gun violence and pass gun safety laws this session.
“We don’t have to wait to make our communities safer. Indiana is about to receive a $5.85 Billion allocation as part of the American Rescue Plan passed by Congress. Governor Holcomb can choose to #FundOurLives and dedicate at least 5% to scale up Group Violence Intervention, the nation’s most effective strategy to reduce community gun violence, across Indiana’s cities.
“Most of us believe every person is worthy of safety and the ability to thrive, no matter if we are Black, white, or brown. For too long, legislators bought by the gun industry have refused to act to pass gun safety measures, a choice that took eight lives today. Governor Holcomb and his legislature has a moral responsibility to act now and pass gun safety laws and fund proven community-based solutions that protect all Indiana families.”
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