WASHINGTON -- Federal investigators had “looked at” Sikh temple gunman Wade Michael Page more than once because of his associations with right-wing extremists and the possibility that he was providing funding to a domestic terrorist group, but law enforcement officials at the time determined there was not enough evidence of a crime to open an investigation, a senior U.S. law enforcement official said.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, would not say Monday which law enforcement agency had considered investigating Page, or when.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-investigators-kept-tabs-alleged-sikh-temple-shooter-20120806,0,2390104.story
"OAK CREEK - AUGUST 6: FBI special agent in charge, Teresa Carlson holds a photograph of a subject that the FBI wants to interview and is asking for any information as she speaks at a press conference on the shooting at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin where yesterday a gunman fired upon people at service August, 6, 2012 in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. At least six people were killed when the shooter identified as Wade Michael Page opened fire on congregants in the Milwaukee suburb. The suspect who was a United States Army veteran was shot dead in a shootout with police. (Credit: Getty Images)."
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/presser-reveals-new-details-about-victims-timeline-of-sikh-shooting/
FoxNews reported that the person of interest was cleared of any involvement; however, there was no released information about why this non-Sikh person, on the scene, was not involved.
The shooter's mother stated "in the last 12 years I have not been in contact with him at all since his dad and I divorced."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2184602/Wisconsin-temple-shooting-Devastated-mother-Sikh-temple-killer-Wade-Michael-Page-apologizes-sons-victims.html
The shooter was "trained in psychological warfare," had a recent break-up, and financially difficulties. He was discharged from the service because of working issues, and excessive drinking. "On July 15, Page moved to a duplex across the street. After the FBI searched that residence Sunday, Weins said he returned to the apartment and found only a computer desk, chair and an inflatable mattress." "Online records show Page had a brief criminal history in other states, including pleading guilty to misdemeanor criminal mischief after a 1994 arrest in El Paso. He received six months' probation. Page also pleaded guilty to driving under the influence in Colorado in 1999 but never completed a sentence that included alcohol treatment, records show." "The FBI was leading the investigation because the shooting was considered domestic terrorism. The agency said it had no reason to believe anyone other than Page was involved." "Page was issued five pistol-purchase permits in 2008 in North Carolina, paying a $5 fee for each. The Cumberland County Sheriff's office declined to release his application form, which requires another person to affirm the applicant is of "good moral character." The forms also typically ask about military experience of applicants, who must pass a criminal background check." "Page did not have the additional permit needed to legally carry a concealed weapon."
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SIKH_TEMPLE_SHOOTING?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-08-05-15-14-22
"Page served as a "psychological operations specialist" between April 1992 and October 1998, ending his career at the base at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, home to the US Army's airborne forces and Special Operations Command.
He was a qualified parachutist who received several good conduct awards and a National Defense Service Medal, but never won significant promotion.
He had a general discharge and was ineligible for reenlistment, Oak Creek Police Chief John Edwards told reporters."
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/7-killed-us-sikh-temple-shooting-police-185640479.html
"Tattoos on the body of the slain Sikh temple gunman and certain biographical details led the FBI to treat the attack at a Milwaukee-area temple as an act of domestic terrorism."
http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-sikh-temple-domestic-terrorism-20120805,0,6094643.story
ABC reported that "the shootings are the work of a `white supremacist' or `skinhead.'"
http://abcnews.go.com/US/sikh-temple-oak-creek-wisconsin-officials-white-supremacist/story?id=16933779#.UB8uEP2iPqI
The evidence is stated so vaguely, including no details, this easily could be made up.
The "Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007 defines homegrown terrorism as the `use, planned use, or threatened use of force or violence by a group or individual born, raised, or based and operating primarily within the United States or any possession of the United States to intimidate or coerce the United States government, the civilian population of the United States, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.'”
Cf. GovTrack.us. H.R. 1955--110th Congress (2007): Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007, GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation) http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?tab=summary&bill=h110-1955
No details on how the investigation has determined that this was domestic terrorism so quickly.
In contrast, despite his contacts with a known international terrorist, Nidal Hasan was not considered a terrorist.
"The FBI and U.S. Army determined that Hasan acted alone and as of yet have found no evidence of links to terrorist groups. They are satisfied that his communications with Awlaki, targeted in 2010 as a dangerous Al Qaeda leader, posed no threat at the time. The decision by Attorney General Eric Holder not to charge Hasan with terrorism was controversial, and it was widely debated as to whether Hasan could be called a "terrorist".[10] One terrorism analyst believed Hasan was "acting individually because he doesn't want to deploy overseas".[11] Hasan has been charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted murder.[12][13"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nidal_Malik_Hasan
The initial incident call went out at 10:30 am according to a police spokesperson: FoxNews, 5:15 p.m.
FoxNews reported possibly multiple shooters.
The shooting started about 10 a.m.
"Someone who sent a text message to a Journal Sentinel reporter shortly before noon said that there were two shooters with children possibly as hostages."
http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/reports-of-people-shot-at-sikh-temple-in-oak-creek-qc6cgc0-165059506.html
"There were conflicting reports about whether another gunman had taken hostages inside the temple. Local news agencies, citing text messages from people inside have reported that two or more gunmen could have been involved."
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/06/us/shooting-reported-at-temple-in-wisconsin.html
Though early reports had suggested there may have been more than one attacker, he said officers had not identified any other gunmen.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/05/us/wisconsin-temple-shooting/index.html
Police did not initially identify any additional gunman on scene, but did not rule out the possibility of additional shooters.
http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/165061026.html
One witness told Newsradio 620 WTMJ's Dan O'Donnell that at least one, possibly four gunmen were hiding inside the temple after they started shooting.
http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/165061026.html
Police say they don't think there is a second shooter involved.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/08/05/possible-injuries-after-shooting-at-sikh-temple-in-wisconsin/
Unidentified persons stated there were two or more shooters.
Yet, at least one source already concluded there was only one, crazed, gunman.
"Among the deceased is the gunman, who apparently acted alone."
The shooter was a white male in his 30s.
"We have no idea," one of the temple's committee members, Ven Boba Rihe, said of the motive. "It's pretty much a hate crime. It's not an insider."
How would he know the motive?
Information broadcast over a police radio frequency said one witness told law enforcement the shooter was a white male with a heavy build, bald head and wearing a sleeveless T-shirt.
http://oakcreek.patch.com/articles/several-people-reported-shot-at-sikh-temple
Numerous police agencies had responded to scene to assist Oak Creek, including the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Joint Terrorism Task Force, a collection of federal, state and local law enforcement, was on the scene of the shooting by 1 p.m. Those task forces, several of which are situated around the country, typically work quietly to prevent terrorism attacks but also respond to mass shootings to help coordinate law enforcement. Sources said it was too early to say if this will be considered an act of terrorism.
U.S. Attorney James Santelle said he expected federal law enforcement will play a role in the investigation. Exactly what that role is remains to be seen, Santelle said.
In previous mass shootings, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives trace the gun or guns used in the shooting. FBI also may take on a general investigative role, as they have in the past, helping with search warrants or conducting out of state aspects of the investigation.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/reports-of-people-shot-at-sikh-temple-in-oak-creek-qc6cgc0-165059506.html
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