News Brief
US: ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple In Utah Attacked In Suspected Hate Crime; 20–30 Bullets Fired In Series Of Night Shootings
Pic Via Vaibhavi Devi Dasi
The ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah in the United States has become the target of suspected hate crimes, after a spate of shootings left the community shaken and the temple building damaged.
Over the past several days, 20–30 bullets were fired at the temple building and the surrounding property.
According to Vaibhavi Devi Dasi, co-founder of the temple, the incidents occurred during nighttime hours, while devotees and guests were present inside, and have resulted in thousands of dollars in structural damage, including to the temple’s hand-carved arches,
On 18 June, temple staff reported hearing a loud noise and spotting smoke emerging from the temple’s radio station roof, although its cause wasn’t immediately clear.
In the following days, a bullet hole was discovered in a temple window, with the projectile lodging into the wall of the main worship hall.
CCTV footage captured a pickup truck parked in front of the property during the attack, though no suspects have yet been identified.
The Utah County Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation and stepped up patrols around the temple.
Meanwhile, the temple is bolstering its security, aided by GARD, a local firm that has offered two weeks of free surveillance.
A $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction, and residents are urged to report any suspicious activity.
