The ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah, has been targeted in a suspected hate crime, prompting strong condemnation from the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and calls for swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice. The incident, which involved multiple shots fired at the temple premises over several nights in June, has caused significant structural damage and raised concerns about the safety of religious institutions.
According to ISKCON, approximately 20 to 30 bullets were fired at the temple building and surrounding property, including the iconic dome, arches, and a window leading into the main worship hall. The shootings occurred during nighttime hours while devotees and guests were present inside the temple. The attacks have resulted in thousands of dollars in damages, including to the temple's hand-carved arches.
The first incident occurred on June 18, when temple co-founder Vai Warden heard a loud noise near the Krishna Radio station building adjacent to the temple. Initially, it was thought to be fireworks, but the next morning, bullet holes were discovered on the temple walls and windows. More gunfire occurred later that night and again on June 20, as captured by CCTV footage. Shell casings were recovered from the road just outside the temple's security fence. Surveillance footage revealed a pickup truck parked in front of the property on the night of the shooting.
The Utah County Sheriff's Office (UCSO) is investigating the incidents. The Sheriff's office Investigations Division is examining the evidence found at the temple and asking anyone with information on the vandalism to contact them. While the UCSO has termed the attacks "acts of vandalism," ISKCON temple authorities have called the attacks a "hate crime".
In response to the attacks, the temple is enhancing its safety measures. GARD, a security company in Springville, has offered to send a security surveillance truck to the Temple for two weeks free of charge. A $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Temple officials are urging nearby residents to report any gunfire in the area.
The Consulate General of India in San Francisco has strongly condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the community. In a statement on X, the Consulate stated, "We strongly condemn the recent firing incident at the ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Krishna temple in Spanish Fork, Utah. The Consulate extends full support to all the devotees and the community and urges the local authorities to take prompt action to bring the perpetrators to justice". The Consulate has pledged ongoing assistance to those affected and emphasized the need for prompt and decisive action by local law enforcement to ensure accountability and prevent future attacks.
Vai Warden, the president of the temple, expressed her belief that the attacks were motivated by hate. "We believe this was based on hate," Warden said. "We want to find out who did this and prevent this from happening again". Warden is working to restore the temple as a place of peace. "We've gone on well over these last decades with no trouble, and now suddenly, whether it's religious or politically motivated, we don't know," Warden said.
The ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork is known globally for hosting the annual Holi Festival and has served as a community sanctuary for over two decades. The temple, built in the early 1990s, is located on a 15-acre hilltop campus and houses peacocks, llamas, and cows alongside the place of worship.
