Shots Fired At Radha Krishna Temple In Utah, Authorities Probe Suspected Hate Crime
Surveillance video captured a vehicle approaching the temple grounds, stopping near the fence, and someone opening fire from the vehicle before speeding away
A place of worship in northern Utah has become the target of repeated gunfire, raising serious concerns about a potential hate crime against the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple, located just off Main Street in Spanish Fork, United states.
Temple leaders say multiple shots were fired at the building over several nights in June, with bullets striking various parts of the temple's main structure—including the iconic dome, arches, and even a second-story window that opens into the main worship hall. The Utah County Sheriff's Office is investigating the case and has not ruled out the possibility of the attack being motivated by hate.
According to Fox13 and The Salt Lake Tribune, the first incident occurred on the night of June 18, when temple co-founder Vai Warden heard a loud sound near the Krishna Radio station building adjacent to the temple. At first, he thought it might have been fireworks or local teenagers playing around. But the next morning, bullet holes were discovered in temple walls and windows.
More gunfire followed later that same night and again on June 20, based on security footage reviewed by temple staff. Surveillance video captured a vehicle approaching the temple grounds, stopping near the fence, and someone opening fire from the vehicle before speeding away.
Over 20 bullets in total struck the building, including shots fired from what appeared to be over 100 yards away. Bullet holes were found high up on the temple dome and near public gathering areas, increasing fears that the shots were intentionally aimed to intimidate.
Warden added that the temple, a part of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), has never experienced this kind of violence in its three-decade history in Spanish Fork.
The Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple was built in the early 1990s and has become a beloved landmark in Utah County. Known for its annual Holi festival, it draws thousands of visitors from across the state and beyond. It also serves as a center for cultural, spiritual, and interfaith events.
Following the shooting, temple leaders have installed enhanced security features, including new lighting, security cameras, taller fencing, and overnight patrols. A $1,000 reward has been announced for any information that leads to the identification and arrest of the suspect(s).
The Utah County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation. Officers have collected shell casings and are reviewing video footage. So far, no arrests have been made, and authorities are asking for the public's help.
In a statement to The Salt Lake Tribune, the sheriff's office confirmed the ongoing investigation and said they are taking the case seriously, given the possible implications of religiously motivated violence.
Community members and faith leaders across Utah have expressed concern and solidarity, urging swift justice and greater protection for religious institutions.
The attack comes at a time of growing awareness about religious tolerance and the safety of minority communities in the US. Though law enforcement has not officially declared the incident a hate crime, the nature of the attack has sparked conversations about racial and religious bias, particularly against non-Christian communities in smaller towns.
'We're not going to shut our doors," Warden told ISKCON News. 'We'll keep the temple open. But this should never have happened, and we want to make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Kargil Vijay Diwas: The story of Maha Vir Chakra Major Rajesh Adhikari who died with his wife's unopened letter
No intelligence. No acclimatisation. No high-altitude clothing. Negligible artillery support. Treacherous terrain. 26 years ago the Kargil heights echoed with cries of battle. These were the harsh and daunting circumstances under which Major Rajesh Adhikari, a 28-year-old officer, was tasked with capturing the pivotal Tololing peak during the 1999 Kargil War. 'He didn't blink an eye,' recalls Brigadier Khushal Thakur (Retd.), his Commanding Officer during the war. Also Read| Kargil braveheart's brother remembers him on Vijay Diwas: Anuj would pick fights with anyone who messed with me 'The irony is that he was only on attachment with us—18 Grenadiers—for a year, which was to end in June. He was looking forward to going back and celebrating his first wedding anniversary on June 9.' Brigadier Khushal Thakur (Retd.), a key figure in the Kargil War However, just 10 days before, Major Adhikari was killed in action on May 30. 'You must understand the circumstances under which Adhikari was launched (in battle). We were told there were just 5 or 6 mujahideen. It was only later that we got to know it was an entire company of regulars (Pakistani army),' he says. Major Adhikari (far right) playing Holi with officers and men from his unit. Major Adhikari led his team in an assault on a well-fortified enemy position at an altitude of 15,000 feet. The Battle of Tololing would go on to become a turning point in the war. On the night of the assault, Maj Adhikari and Brig Thakur were in touch over radio. 'Around 11 PM, he told me that the fight was on, one bunker had been captured, and he was moving to the next. He said all was well,' Thakur recalls. Also Read| Vijay Diwas: Kargil is more than a place and war for me, says battle hero's daughter born three months after sacrifice 'At around 1 or 2 AM, I called again. The radio operator, Lance Naik Rajendra Yadav was sitting behind a boulder. He told me Adhikari was engaged in hand-to-hand combat. I asked to speak to him, but he said, 'Baat nahi ho sakti, all weapons have been opened.' Then he said Adhikari seemed injured. While still on the line with me, he said, 'Oh ma,' and I knew… he was gone.' Post highlighting Major Rajesh Adhikari sacrifice for the country. Even after being grievously injured Major Adhikari refused evacuation and continued to engage the enemy soldiers. 'His men were pleading, 'Peeche hato, peeche hato,' but despite being under heavy fire himself, he insisted, 'Mujhe koi chot nahi lagi hai.' He continued to advance, inflicting heavy casualties —but at the cost of his life.' Major Adhikari was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his extraordinary valour. He was just 29. 'That same day, he had received a letter from his wife, which he planned to read in peace after the operation. The letter went back unopened, with his mortal remains,' Brig Thakur adds. The night before the assault, Major Adhikari and his senior, Lt Col Vishwanathan (also killed in action later), had asked their men to speak to their families via satellite phone. But when their own turn came, the battery was drained. 'I had nothing. No resources. And yet, these men fought against all odds. They didn't blink an eye. Never said, 'This can't be done.' They went ahead and accomplished whatever was asked of them. That's why we celebrate Vijay Diwas today,' says Brigadier Thakur. Off the battlefield, the Nainital boy was known among the soldiers for his musical talent. His renditions of Purani Jeans was a favorite among them. 'He always had his guitar with him—even at his posts. He'd strum whenever he could. The men loved his music, and they loved him. He was simple, sincere, lovable,' concludes. Brig Thakur.
Mint
4 days ago
- Mint
Burnt cash discovery row: Govt weighs probe into allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma
The Central government is working to constitute a committee to probe allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma in the alleged burnt cash recovery case, government sources said on Wednesday, July 23. Earlier, sources had indicated that the proposed committee may include a Supreme Court judge, a Chief Justice from a High Court, and a noted jurist. The talks on formation of a committee came after Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju mentioned that over 100 MPs have signed calling for the impeachment process against Justice Varma. "The signature (collection) is underway, and it has crossed 100 already," Kiren Rijiju said. When asked if the issue of Justice Yashwant Varma and cash recovery would also be taken up in the monsoon session, Kiren Rijiju said, "In the Justice Varma case, the process will be undertaken together by all parties. This is not the move by the government alone." 'I can't comment on any business in terms of priority until and unless the matter is passed by the BAC [Business Advisory Committee] with the approval of the chair. It is difficult to make an announcement outside,' he added. On Monday, Members of Parliament submitted a memorandum to the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to remove High Court Justice Yashwant Varma in connection with the cash discovery row. According to the reports, as many as 145 Lok Sabha members – including MPs Anurag Singh Thakur, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, PP Chaudhary, Supriya Sule, KC Venugopal – have signed the impeachment motion against Justice Varma under Articles 124, 217, and 218 of the Constitution. MPs from various parties, including Congress, TDP, JDU, JDS, Jan Sena Party, AGP, SS (Shinde), LJSP, SKP, CPM, etc., signed the memorandum. The alleged cash discovery happened on the night of Holi, March 14, when a fire broke out in the storeroom of Yashwant Varma's Lutyens' Delhi residence around 11.35 pm. Several pictures of the burnt cash surfaced on social media. In his response, Justice Varma 'unequivocally' denied the allegations against him, terming them as 'totally preposterous'. 'I state unequivocally that no cash was ever placed in that storeroom either by me or any of my family members and strongly denounce the suggestion that the alleged cash belonged to us. The very idea or suggestion that this cash was kept or stored by us is totally preposterous,' Justice Varma said. He said, 'The suggestion that one would store cash in an open, freely accessible and commonly used storeroom near the staff quarters or in an outhouse verges on the incredible and incredulous.'
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Time of India
Army havildar, 2 aides get life for murder over parking tiff
Meerut: A 50-year-old Army havildar and his two associates were sentenced to life imprisonment on Saturday for the murder of a neighbour's relative during a parking dispute in 2016, when the main accused was visiting his home in Bareilly for Holi. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to additional district government counsel (ADGC) Rajeshwari Gangwar, the incident took place on March 24, 2016, when Satendra Pal Singh's friends had come over to meet him. After their parked cars caused a blockage, his neighbour, Yogendra Singh Gangwar, requested that the vehicles be parked properly. "Singh reacted aggressively and began hurling abuses at Yogendra. A heated argument broke out, but was defused after family members intervened and Singh left with his companions," she said. The ADGC added, "The situation escalated shortly after as Singh returned armed with a licensed double-barrel rifle and pistols, accompanied by his associates -- Ravindra Pal Singh and Manjeet Singh, both in their 50s. The trio forcibly entered Yogendra's house and opened indiscriminate fire on the family. They fled the scene after the attack." Police said Yogendra's son-in-law, Rajpal Gangwar (40), was shot in the stomach and later succumbed to his injuries. Two other family members -- his son, Abhinav Gangwar, and Tejpal Gangwar -- were also injured, with Abhinav sustaining a gunshot wound in the hand. Based on Yogendra's complaint, an FIR was registered at Prem Nagar police station under IPC sections 302 (murder) and 307 (attempt to murder). All three men were subsequently arrested and jailed for 19 months before being granted bail by Allahabad high court. On Saturday, additional district judge Tabrez Ahmed found them guilty of murder and attempted murder, sentencing them to life imprisonment and imposing a fine of Rs 2.3 lakh each, the ADGC said.
