The Bay Area Sikh community held several vigils Wednesday night for the victims of a mass shooting at a Wisconsin temple on Sunday morning that killed six people and injured four others.

Gunman Wade Michael Page opened fire during a Sikh prayer session at a gurdwara, or temple, in Oak Creek, Wisc., killing six people and himself
as police arrived at the scene.

"We wanted to offer our sincerest condolences for the terrible tragedy that occurred," the San Ramon Valley Islamic Center website stated. "Please know that we are here to support you in any way possible. Faith communities need to stand together and pray for a day when followers of all faiths can enter their places of worship without any fear of being attacked or harassed. You all are in our duas."

Fremont's Gurdwara Sahib, or Sikh temple, hosted a community vigil at Lake Elizabeth on Paseo Padre Parkway. Fremont police Chief Craig Steckler and Mayor Gus Morrison were invited to speak at the event, which came together quickly in the days after the shooting, Gurdwara Sahib Fremont board member Ranjeet Singh said.

"We are coming out against crimes against humanity," he said.

The event will include speakers, a prayer session and a candlelight vigil.

The temple has been holding prayer sessions twice a day since the massacre, and a local community member with connections to Wisconsin will be
flying to the Midwest this weekend.

"It's nice to go and show your presence and show your solidarity," Singh said.

Sukhwinder Singh a founding member and program organizer at the Hayward sikh temple, said that although holding a vigil is not a Sikh tradition,
"when something tragic happens, that's what we do."

The vigil is to help the younger generation cope with the senseless violence, especially for the next generation of American Sikhs who see a community prayer session as a part of the healing process, Sukhwinder Singh said.

"The thing is, it happened in a religious place, in a place of worship. That's the whole shocking part," he said.

"People are not discussing any agenda, politics -- just praying," he said. "What kind of motive can someone have to attack a peaceful gathering?"

Those questions and more were discussed at the vigil, at which information about the victims will be read along with letters from politicians including Sen. Barbara Boxer, state Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi, D-Hayward, and state Sen. Ellen Corbett, D-San Leandro.

Two other vigils were held atthe Hayward Sikh temple and the Sikh Gurdwara.

Today, a vigil titled "One American Hurt, We All Hurt," will be held at the county government center at 70 W. Hedding St. at 5:30 p.m.

Jessica Lipsky contributed to this story

— Bay City News Service

Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.