Those impacted by other shootings visit Sikh Temple, offer support

OAK CREEK (WITI) -- The son of a Sikh Temple shooting victim describes the bond he's formed with victims of other recent mass shootings as "a family you don't want to be in." Some of those impacted by other shootings across the country, including Newtown, the Azana Salon & Spa shooting in Brookfield, Virginia Tech, the Columbine shooting, and others visited Oak Creek on Monday, August 5th -- the one-year anniversary of the shooting.

Carlee Soto came to the Sikh Temple aboard the "No More Names" bus. Her sister was gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

"There's like a club of us, everyone who's been touched by gun violence and unfortunately, our club has been growing by the day and by the second," Soto said.

Soto says there was no question -- she had to visit the Temple this weekend.

"I just want to return the favor; everyone was so kind to me and the other 26 families, that being out here wasn't really an option, I had to be here for them," Soto said.

On Monday, Soto embraced Amardeep Kaleka, whose father was one of six killed inside the Temple.

"It's like a weird family you don't want to be a part of but you are, and we grieve together and that's partly what our country's doing," Kaleka said.

This family is working together to prevent future tragedies.

"Just praying the violence will go away is not enough. We have to have serious dialogue on certain issues, like for example in our area, hyper-segregation and xenophobia," Kaleka said.

The "No More Names" bus is sponsored by "Mayors Against Illegal Guns."

Both Kaleka and Soto say it may be an uncomfortable topic, but we need to keep talking about guns, and specifically what we can do to keep criminals and the mentally unstable from getting them.

"We have to change the way we live. We need to change our gun laws," Soto said.

Soto and Kaleka say their bond is also about healing, and about "Chardi Kala."

"It means 'relentless optimism.' You push us down, we rise up. You keep attacking, we're gonna get stronger. And I think that's what we have to do as a nation," Kaleka said.

On a personal level, Soto says visiting the Sikh Temple has helped her grieve the loss of her sister. She says seeing so many smiles helps her realize that she too, can still smile.