Police in California have arrested 17 people for a series of shootings at Sikh temples in Stockton, Sacramento, and other locations. The suspects, mostly members of the local Sikh community, were arrested during a large-scale operation that included searches of 20 locations in Northern California. Authorities seized weapons such as AK-47s, handguns, and at least one machine gun during the raids. Two of the people arrested are reportedly mafia members wanted for murders in India. The groups involved were allegedly responsible for numerous violent crimes and shootings in several counties.
The arrests come after shootings at a Stockton temple in August 2022 and a Sacramento temple in March 2023. Law enforcement was able to prevent two additional shootings during the investigation. California Attorney General Rob Bonta praised the collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies, saying public safety is their top priority. Sutter County District Attorney Jennifer Dupré said the investigation required a lot of personnel and effort.
