17 arrested in California Gurdwara shootings, machine gun and AK-47 seized
Washington, April 18: Police in California have arrested 17 people on charges of involvement in a series of shootings at Gurdwaras in Stockton, Sacramento and other locations. During a large-scale operation, agents executed search warrants at 20 locations in Northern California, seizing weapons such as AK-47s, handguns, and at least one machine gun.
The 17 felony arrests, mostly members of the local Sikh community, were made by the California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Yuba City Police Chief Brian Baker, and Sutter County District Attorney Jennifer Dupré. Two of the arrested individuals are alleged mafia members who are “wanted on a number of murders” in India.
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The suspects are believed to be part of rival criminal syndicates that are responsible for numerous violent crimes and shootings, including five attempted murders, in Sutter, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, Yolo, and Merced counties. These groups were allegedly involved in a mass shooting at a Stockton Sikh temple on August 27, 2022 and a shooting at a Sacramento Sikh temple on March 23, 2023.
Through their investigation, law enforcement was able to prevent two additional shootings from occurring. California Attorney General Rob Bonta said, “Today, California is safer thanks to collaboration, determination, and swift action by DOJ agents and our law enforcement partners in Sutter County.”
Sutter County District Attorney General Jennifer Dupré added, “An investigation of this magnitude requires a tremendous amount of time and effort, and especially a lot of personnel.”
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- With inputs from agencies
