Singh was shot as he ran around warning people to hide during the latest mass shooting incident in America.
“He’s my hero. He’s a true Sikh warrior. My heart is broken today,” says Santa Monica based TV actor and model Amandeep Singh about Taptejdeep Singh, the Sikh rail driver who was among the nine people killed during America’s latest mass shooting incident in San Jose on Wednesday.
“I believe this is an act of heroism it should be acknowledged,” said Sandra Douglas Chavez, a community outreach officer from San Jose, California, about the selfless act of the 36-year-old Sikh American father of two.
Recalling an earlier incident of senseless killing of two elderly Silkh men in 2011, Chavez said, “Sad that tomorrow is the dedication of a park in honor of two Sikh men in our town. Every time I drive by there I pray for them. I used to see them walking in the neighborhood, when I would drive to the Lowes.”
The 2011 killing of two Sikh men as they were taking a walk in the neighborhood was viewed as a possible hate crime.
The Indian American Sikh community not just in California but across America is mourning the death of Taptejdeep Singh, a driver at Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) killed during the shooting.
Fondly called Taptej by friends and colleagues, the heroic valor that he displayed during his last hours, quickly became the talk of the town and tributes and obituaries began pouring in.
Singh, who was caught in the firing, died while trying to save lives during the unfortunate incident. According to eyewitnesses, unmindful of danger to his life, Singh was running around warning people to hide and take shelter while the shooter was on a rampage until he himself was felled by a bullet.
The Sikh community is in deep grief following the news. Milipitas based Sikh entrepreneur Amrit Singh says, “I am hurt beyond words.”
“Even though, time and again Sikhs continue to show to America that they are there for their fellow countrymen without flinching a worry about themselves, we are still misunderstood and are victims of hate crime. Not just the community but America will remember the bravery of this Sikh gentleman.”
California State Assembly member Bill Quirk wrote in a tribute, “This is Taptejdeep Singh. He was a husband and father of two. I was honored to represent him in the Assembly as a Union City resident. Today his life was cut short. He was one of the VTA employees killed.”
“People from all walks of life admired the courage with which he continued to warn others of the shooter in a bid to save lives.”
Born in India and raised in Union City, California, leaves his wife, three-year-old son, one-year-old daughter, and a grieving Sikh community in the San Francisco Bay Area, which described him as a “helpful and caring” man.
t flinching a worry about themselves, we are still misunderstood and are victims of hate crime. Not just the community but America will remember the bravery of this Sikh gentleman.”
California State Assembly member Bill Quirk wrote in a tribute, “This is Taptejdeep Singh. He was a husband and father of two. I was honored to represent him in the Assembly as a Union City resident. Today his life was cut short. He was one of the VTA employees killed.”
“People from all walks of life admired the courage with which he continued to warn others of the shooter in a bid to save lives.”
Born in India and raised in Union City, California, leaves his wife, three-year-old son, one-year-old daughter, and a grieving Sikh community in the San Francisco Bay Area, which described him as a “helpful and caring” man.