INDIANAPOLIS — NOTE: The above video is from a previous report about the guns used in the Indianapolis mass shooting at a FedEx facility.
The Sikh Coalition is demanding local, state and federal investigators look into possible bias in the mass shooting at the Indianapolis FedEx facility. Eight people were killed in the shooting April 15 and four of those were members of the Sikh community.
A statement reads, in part:
"A complete and thorough investigation – including determining the motives behind this attack and any connection Mr. Hole has to hate and white supremacy groups – is essential to providing justice and building trust between the Sikh community and local and federal law enforcement. A full and transparent recitation of those facts is also necessary to maintaining that trust moving forward. The reality is, even if Mr. Hole was a disgruntled employee due to the fact that Sikh employees were getting more hours than him or for any other reason, it is essential to connect the dots of all of his activities leading up to this tragic attack to fully understand the role racism, xenophobia, and white supremacy may have played in his alleged anger toward his former employer.”
The concern comes after IMPD released a detailed report about a March 2020 incident involving the suspect. In that incident, the suspect's mother had reached out to police, concerned that he might attempt "suicide by cop." Police confiscated a shotgun and during a search, an officer saw white supremacist websites up on the suspect's computer screen.
"The fact that the shooter had reportedly been on white supremacist websites is a piece of critical and new information, which is why we are underscoring again the need for a transparent and full investigation that includes the possibility of bias as a motivator," said Nikki Singh, Sikh Coalition Policy and Advocacy Manager.
The behavioral unit detained the suspect and took him to the hospital. He was evaluated for only a matter of hours and released without being prescribed any medications.
The FBI then interviewed the suspect in April of 2020. The bureau found:
No Racially Motivated Violent Extremism (RMVE) ideology was identified during the course of the assessment and no criminal violation was found.
“This information stands in confusing contrast to the statement released by FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Paul Keenan on Friday, April 16,” said Amrith Kaur. “Per Agent Keenan, ‘No Racially Motivated Violent Extremism ideology was identified during the course of the assessment’ in 2020. We now know that this statement does not accurately reflect all of the facts of this case, and are seeking full transparency by the investigating agencies. Additionally, to further this investigation, it is imperative that all witnesses to the shooting be interviewed by law enforcement immediately.”
13News asked the FBI about that finding and received the following response:
“During the FBI’s April 2020 interview with Mr. Hole, no probable cause was found to initiate any type of legal federal process. The FBI takes great care to distinguish between constitutionally protected activities and illegal activities undertaken to further an ideological agenda. The FBI cannot initiate an investigation based solely on an individual’s race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, or the exercise of First Amendment rights.”
13News also asked about the Sikh Coalition's request for investigators to look into bias motivating the shooter. The FBI response to that reads in part: "We are not ruling out any motive at this time, including one based on hate/bias.”
The FBI, IMPD and other law enforcement are still working to establish a motive for the shootings.
"We feel nervous, scared. I personally think the way we look because we are foreigners from other country, looks like we have been targeted because a lot of our Sikh people work there," said Avtar Singh Bassi, Indy West Sikh Temple.
Two of the women who were shot and killed at the FedEx facility were members of the Indy West Sikh Temple, where they have hired extra security for their Sunday worship services just as a precaution. Roughly 300 people work at the FedEx facility and about 50 of those are from the Indy West Sikh Temple congregation.
"We need Indianapolis to know who we are. We are hard-working people. We might look different. But this is the country that gave us everything," said Avtar Singh Bassi, Indy West Sikh Temple.
To read a copy of the letter the Sikh Coalition sent to law enforcement, click here.