Police Release Raw Video From Sikh Temple Shooting

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Sep 11, 2012 8:30PM

Wisconsin police have released raw video footage taken by dashboard cameras during police interactions with gunman Wade Michael Page at the Sikh temple where he opened fire and killed six people on Aug. 5. The videos below were taken from the squad cars of Police Lt. Brian Murphy, who was shot 12 times when he encountered Page, and Officer Sam Lenda, who shot and wounded Page.

The video reveals new details and clarifies some of the lingering questions about the tragedy. Earlier reports said Page fired eight or nine shots at Murphy, but this video confirms it was 15 shots—three were stopped by body armor, 12 struck Murphy. Police say Page may have been preparing to leave the gurdwara and continue his rampage when he encountered Murphy. and directed his gunfire on him. Lenda fired a sharpshooter shot that disabled Page.

According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, this is the full police account of what happened. See the videos for police commentary.

Driving alone in his squad, the 21-year veteran officer (Murphy) turned off S. Howell Ave. up the temple driveway. He found wounded victims in the parking lot. Page was still inside the temple.

Murphy, a former Marine, radioed back to the dispatcher that he needed an ambulance.

Wearing black camouflage pants and a white shirt, Page stepped out the temple door and appeared headed to his truck when the two men spotted each other, raised their guns and fired.

After he was shot in the neck, Murphy pointed his gun in the direction Page had been running. Instead, Page circled back and came up from behind Murphy and opened fire.

Page was shooting at Murphy from about 10 feet when Lenda's squad pulled up on the scene.

Lenda, an Oak Creek officer for 32 years with an extensive SWAT team background, spotted Page walking toward him. He set up behind the squad car door.

Page stopped to check the rounds in his magazine or reload. Page bought the gun a week earlier and with it three 19-round magazines.

Page popped the magazine back into the 9mm, raised his gun and started walking again toward the officer. Lenda ordered Page to drop his gun. Page began firing, one of the bullets going through the squad windshield.

Lenda fired six rounds from his rifle. The second or third shot hit Page in the abdomen from more than half a football field away.

Page fired the final shot, killing himself with a 9mm handgun. Lenda is back on the job, but Murphy is still recovering from his wounds, unable to speak above a whisper.