OAK CREEK (WXOW) -- Thousands of people are expected to pay their final respects to the six worshippers killed this week at an Oak Creek Sikh temple.
The wake and visitation is Friday morning in the Oak Creek High School gymnasium. Organizers initially planned for a two hour wake and visitation, but added two more hours when they realized how many people would come.
Governor Scott Walker, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, and U.S. Representative Paul Ryan are all expected to attend.
After the service, mourners plan to return to the temple and begin a traditional 48-hour ceremony that honors the memories of the victims. Killed in the attack Sunday were Paramjit Kaur, 41, Sita Singh, 41, Ranjit Singh, 49, Prakash Singh, 39, Suveg Singh, 84, and Satwant Singh Kaleka, 65. Kaleka was the temple president.
There is also a condolence book at the Wisconsin State Capitol for people to sign now through August 17. It will be delivered to the Sikh temple in Oak Creek after that. Governor Walker says, "Since the terrible acts of violence committed last Sunday at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, our entire state has been focusing on supporting the victims, their families, and the survivors of this tragedy and on helping the entire community and state to heal. We want to provide an opportunity for the public to send their sympathy and voice their support for the survivors and the whole community. It is important for us to stand together as a state in condemning this kind of evil and lifting up our neighbors in need. I would encourage anyone visiting the Wisconsin State Capitol in the next week to take the time to send a message of support."
The FBI says the gunman who opened fire on the temple was Wade Michael Page, 40. He was shot by a responding police officer, but killed himself with a gunshot to the head.
