Authorities believe a lone suspect broke into a Khalsa Gurmat Center, a Sikh temple and community center near Seattle, vandalizing the gurdwara and stealing electronics equipment, reports Indica News.
Police in Federal Way says surveillance video shows a lone White male suspect committing the crime. Investigators would not say whether this is a hate crime.
“The Federal Way Police Department is committed to completing a thorough investigation into this incident, including whether or not any biases were involved by the suspect that perpetrated this crime,” a spokesperson said to Indica News.
The temple reported that the suspect broke windows, damaged the prayer area and meeting hall and stole several computers and TV monitors, according to the Seattle Times.
“Based on video surveillance, it is clear that the suspect willfully and maliciously vandalized this place of importance to the local Sikh community,” said the group’s legal director, Amrith Kaur Aakre.
“For this to happen has really shaken us up as a community,” said Jasmit Singh, director of the Center. “Members are confused and frustrated.”
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