Washington DC – Taptejdeep Singh, 36, was a Sikh father who left behind a wife and two small children.
He died while trying to save his colleagues from the gunfire. He was killed as he tried to save others.
Taptejdeep is a true testament to the Sikh faith given his bravery, courage and kindness even in his last moments.
Still, Taptejdeep Singh’s story is only one of nine victims in yesterday’s San Jose tragedy.
The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) extends our deepest condolences and support to all the families and victims of the recent shooting at the Valley Transit Authority facility in San Jose, California.
The nine victims include: Taptejdeep Singh, 36; Adrian Balleza, 29; Jose Dejesus Hernandez III, 35; Timothy Michael Romo, 49; Michael Joseph Rudometkin, 40; Paul Delacruz Megia, 42; Abdolvahab Alaghmandan, 63; Lars Kepler Lane, 63; and Alex Ward Fritch, 49.
This mass shooting in San Jose highlights the vulnerability of workers and immigrant communities and the need for a comprehensive approach to address gun violence. We are mindful this shooting occurs in the aftermath of the incident in Indianapolis, Indiana, where four Sikhs and four others lost their lives. These incidents should serve as a grave wakeup call to the broader American community and federal government to once and for all address the mass violence we continually witness as the hands of gun violence.
SALDEF is in touch with law enforcement about this incident. They are investigating the motives of the alleged perpetrator at this time.
Additionally, Working Partnerships USA and the South Bay Labor Council (AFL-CIO) established a fund to support the victims of this tragedy.