FBI: Sikh temple gunman apparently shot self
The FBI announced Wednesday that Wade Michael Page, the gunman in Sunday's shooting rampage at a Wisconsin Sikh temple, apparently died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head after being shot in the stomach by a police officer responding to the scene.
Officials said they are still trying to determine a motive for the attack, which left seven people dead, including Page.
FBI Special Agent Teresa Carlson, who's in charge of the bureau's Milwaukee office, told reporters at a morning news conference that video footage from the shooting showed that Page apparently shot himself.
Previously, Oak Creek Police Officer Sam Lenda was credited with downing Page. Lenda was the second officer who responded to the scene. Carlson said Lenda shot Page in the stomach.
"It is an amazing shot and thank goodness," Carlson said.
The first responding officer, Oak Creek Police Lt. Brian Murphy, was shot nine times but survived the shooting. Oak Creek Police Chief John Edwards said at the news conference that Murphy has started walking around again.
Carlson said the bureau had received 101 leads "worldwide" during its investigation but reaffirmed that no one else other than Page has been connected to the shooting.
Carlson also provided more details into the arrest of Page's ex-girlfriend, 31-year-old nursing student Misty Cook. Cook was arrested Sunday after South Milwaukee police officers observed a weapon in her home during an interview for the Page investigation, Carlson said.
Cook was arrested on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Milwaukee County sheriff's spokeswoman Fran McLaughlin said the 31-year-old Cook also went by Brenda Cook. Online court records show Brenda Cook pleaded no contest in 2005 to a felony charge of fleeing an officer. Carlson said Misty Cook wasn't connected to the Sikh temple shooting and was cooperative.
Carlson said federal officials had not opened any investigation into Page before the shooting. She said investigators were interviewing dozens of people who have known Page as they worked to determine for a possible motive.
"We just want to get to the bottom of what motivated him to do it," said Amardeep Singh, an executive with the New York-based Sikh Coalition. "It's important to acknowledge why they lost their lives."
The 40-year-old Army veteran strode into the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin shortly before Sunday services and opened fire with a 9 mm pistol. The dead included temple President Satwant Singh Kaleka, who was shot as he tried to fend off the shooter with a ceremonial knife.
