Sikh youth shot dead by police while performing gatka on road

LOS ANGELES: A young man, reportedly a Sikh believer, who brandished his sword on the road, was shot dead by police. The incident took place in Los Angeles, USA.

The incident took place in July. The Los Angeles Police Department released video footage of the incident. 35-year-old Gurpreet Singh was killed in the incident. Gurpreet was performing Gatka, a Sikh martial art, in the middle of the road. Police had to reach the spot after panic spread, and the officials demanded that Gurpreet drop the ‘machete’ on the floor and surrender. Gurpreet was holding a double-edged knife that Sikhs carry in their hands when performing Gatka for religious and cultural ceremonies. Sikhs use various weapons like swords, spears, shields and sticks to perform Gatka. The incident occurred when the police mistook it for a machete.

Police say that Gurpreet approached passersby with a weapon on July 13. Despite repeated requests from the police, the man did not relent. Police say that he charged towards them with the weapon, which left them with no other option but to shoot him down. The man was rushed to the police, but his life could not be saved.