Multiple shots fired at ISKCON temple in US, India urges ‘prompt action'
ISKCON said that over the past several days, 20–30 bullets were fired at the temple building and the surrounding property, causing significant structural damage, including the temple's hand-carved arches.
The body added that on June 18, the temple staff heard a loud noise and noticed smoke coming from the temple's radio station roof. A few days later, bullet marks were found in one of the temple's windows and in the building's arches.
Approximately 20 shell casings were recovered from the road just outside the temple's security fence.
The incidents occurred during nighttime hours, while devotees and guests were present inside, said ISKCON.
India condemns the attack
The Consulate General of India in San Francisco condemned the attack and extended full support to the community, calling for prompt action.
'We strongly condemn the recent firing incident at the ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Krishna temple in Spanish Fork, Utah. The Consulate extends full support to all the devotees and the community and urges the local authorities to take prompt action to bring the perpetrators to justice,' it said in a statement on X.
We strongly condemn the recent firing incident at the ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Krishna temple in Spanish Fork, Utah. The Consulate extends full support to all the devotees and the community and urges the local authorities to take prompt action to bring the perpetrators to justice.…
— India in SF (@CGISFO) July 1, 2025
The Utah County Sheriff's office released a statement calling these incidents 'several acts of vandalism' and shared images of evidence from the site, including casings from the rounds fired at the temple.
'Over the weekend, our office was made aware of several acts of vandalism directed towards the Krishna Temple that is located off of 8500 South here in Utah County. UCSO Deputies responded to the Temple and recovered various items of evidence, including casings from the rounds fired at the Temple,' it said.
A post shared by Utah County Sheriff's Office (@utahcountysheriff)
President of the Krishna Temple, Vai Warden, said that the attack was an outcome of 'hate'.
'This was [a] serious attack that was planned — this was actually some sort of hate,' Warden said in an interview with ABC4.
The two-decade-old temple is world-famous for its annual Holi Festival and is located on top of a hill in Spanish Fork.
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