NEW YORK, April 18 (IANS) Police have arrested 17 Sikh men from rival criminal syndicates for their alleged involvement in mass shootings across Northern California, including at Sikh temples in Stockton and Sacramento, that took place between 2022 and 2023.
In a joint law enforcement operation, 41 firearms were seized from suspects responsible for multiple violent crimes and shootings, including five attempted murders, in Sutter, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, Yolo and Merced counties.
The joint law enforcement effort on Monday culminated in a large-scale operation with agents executing search warrants at 20 locations, California Attorney General Rob Ponta, Yuba City Police Chief Brian Baker and Sutter County District Attorney Jennifer Dupree announced.
Dupree said two unions, mostly members of the local Sikh community, were responsible for several shootings where 11 people were shot, including five at a Sikh temple in Stockton on August 2022 and two at a temple in Sacramento on March 23, 2023.
According to ABC News, Karandeep Singh, Pardeep Singh, Pavittar Singh, Husandeep Singh, Sahajpreet Singh, Harkirat Singh, Tirath Ram, Dharamvir Singh, Jobanjit Singh, Gurvinder Singh, Nitish Kaushal, Gurminder Singh Kang, Devender Singh, Karambir Gill, Rajeev Ranjan , Jobanpreet Singh and Desi Singh were arrested for a felony.
Police have not yet arrested Amandeep Singh, Harmandeep Singh, Gurcharn Singh, Grucharan Singh and Jaskaran Singh, Dupree told ABC News, adding that the rift between the groups was “stoked by intense personal relations”.
“No family should ever have to worry about a drive-by shooting or other form of gun violence in the neighborhoods where their children live and play. As a result of combined law enforcement efforts, we are coming out The weapons are off the street and we’re putting suspected gang members and their accomplices behind bars.”
During the investigation, which began in February 2023, law enforcement authorities were able to prevent two additional shootings from occurring.
– Jans
mi /ksk/
