WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP, Ohio — It wasn’t a hate crime, according to Indian government officials. They had no enemies, according to neighbor Satnam Singh.
The shooting deaths of Hakiakat Singh Pannag, Pamrjit Kaur, Amarjit Kaur and Shalinderjit Kaur remained a mystery two days after they were killed inside their apartment. According to coroner reports released Tuesday afternoon, all four died of multiple gunshot wounds around 9:50 p.m. Sunday.
Singh, who lives in the same apartment complex, said he watched first responders arrive that night and prayed there would be survivors.
“They had no problem with anybody,” he said. “They were very respectful. They had no enemies here. They always helped the people that go to the temple.”
That temple, the West Chester Gurdwara, held a memorial prayer service for the family Monday night. Fellow worshippers remember them as “very nice people” who had migrated to the United States from India and become active members of the local Sikh community.
Savita Arora, who co-owns Aangan Sweets and Catering, said the women of the family numbered among her best customers. Often they stopped by on their way to the gurdwara.
"They were really nice people, really nice kids.” she said. “They came here a lot. That's why it was really surprising news for us."
Police had not released any information about a possible suspect by Tuesday night.
