Sikh community understands grief in Newtown, CT

OAK CREEK -- It's difficult not to be affected in some way by the mass shooting that took place in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday, December 14th. We can all sympathize. In the city of Oak Creek, they can empathize too.

Kanwardeep Kaleka is the nephew of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin president who is one of the six that died on a Sunday in early August 2012.

Kaleka tells FOX6 News what he went through then and what many in Newtown may be going through now is terrifying.

"For me personally there, there is a shock. You just don't believe it. I thought my uncle was alive that first day," said Kaleka.

Once the realization of what happened settled in, Kaleka dealt with a myriad of emotions.

"You're trying to, to grapple with the anger of why do these things happen and you even question your faith to some degree," said Kaleka.

Though he still feels the pain of loved ones lost, Kaleka has come to terms with what happened. Right now, that may seem like an impossible feat for many of those affected in Newtown, CT. However, Kaleka believes things will change with the right focus.

"The one big thing I can suggest to that community is working to try to make this world a better place. I mean after something like this happens, the only thing you can really feel is what can I do to prevent other people from being affected by this," said Kaleka.

While this tragedy may propel the conversation forward Kaleka feels it shouldn't only be those affected taking part. Nor should we want for the next mass shooting to make real change.

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