FBI Still Searching For Answers About Wade Michael Page
Authorities have also revealed that Page died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after he was shot by an Oak Creek police officer.
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Authorities have conducted more than 100 interviews with people around the country and issued some 180 subpoenas, but are still seeking a better understanding about Wade Michael Page's motives for entering the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek and opening fire.
Officials also revealed in a Wednesday news conference that Page died of a self-inflicted gunshot to the head after he was shot by an Oak Creek police officer outside the temple Sunday morning.
The investigation into Page has spanned the country, as the 40-year-old moved around a lot. His reasons for moving to the Milwaukee area are believed to center around a girlfriend named Misty Cook.
The FBI has talked extensively with Cook since Sunday, special agent in charge Teresa Carlson said, but they are confident she is not connected to the killings.
Cook was in custody briefly for being a felon in possession of a firearm, but she has not been charged, U.S. Attorney James Santelle said.
The FBI had 101 leads in the Sikh Temple killings as of 8 a.m. Wednesday and have worked around the clock on the case, Carlson said. They are continuing to gather evidence at the Sikh Temple, with many rooms and a total of 16,000 square feet needing to be "meticulously searched." More than 100 items have been recovered from the parking lot alone.
Authorities are also reviewing records from Page's phone, video from surrounding buildings and state Department of Transportation cameras. They have searched Page's residences and a space at one of his former employers.
Carlson said video cameras were not turned on at the temple at the time of the shootings.
The shot fired by an Oak Creek police officer was captured on video, however.
"I've seen the video — it is an amazing shot," Carlson said.
"Subsequent to that wound, it appears that Page died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head."
The officer who shot Page has been identified by many media outlets, but Police Chief John Edwards said they do not want to publicly name the officer because of possible retaliation by white supremacy groups, as well as the ongoing investigation.
He is not aware of any specific threat against the officer, but said the department always prepares for such a scenario.
"You always think about what-ifs," Edwards said. "If you just do 'what do we know,' you're going to get hit with something you didn't do a 'what-if' on."
Edwards said he was confident that Oak Creek and its residents are safe.
"What we know about what happened (is) there was a lone shooter," Edwards said.
"My community is safe. There's nobody else out there."
Jill
4:25 pm on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Then hopefully the ex-chief Bauer's comments are deleted, because he named the officer in an interview.
BONNIE NWIESMKUELLER
8:34 pm on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Why has the interest in the "person of interest" been totally dropped by the media?
By now, somebody has to know who he is and what is his connection to the carnage.
Tony
8:46 pm on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
They did find him and they said he had nothing to do with this.
Dirk
10:50 am on Thursday, August 9, 2012
Simply a case of someone depressed and despondent over a breakup, especially now that we know he shot himself. Unfortunately this happens alot in our society, especially over divorces, separations, and, in this case, a breakup . Please cease politicizing this tragedy.
Ellen C. Warren
3:55 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
What do you mean, Dirk? Close our eyes to the fact that it was a hate crime? I don't think that's a particularly good idea, either from a prevention standpoint or from one of raising awareness about the realities of the world we live in. --- However, I could be misunderstanding your request.
Carolyn Tyler
8:40 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
If I were to walk up to someone and call them what has become known as racial slurs or threaten them, this is referred to as racial hazing which is punishable by law. It is also a clear indication that I could be a threat to a particular ethnic person and or group. What is being associated with belonging to a White Supremist group? Why are these groups allowed to assemble and meet? Surely this is the biggest form of racial hazing as well as intent to and or to do harm. I am sure Wade Michael Page had been itching to harm non whites. Since North Carolina was a death penalty state, he made his intent to harm in Wisconsin.
Terry
5:03 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
As much as I absolutely detest and loath what these people stand for, our way in this country is to allow them to assemble and speak as they will.
It is a dangerous and slippery slope you begin to descend when you start allowing others to decide if you and your group are allowed to assemble and speak. You decide they can't assemble, what if another group decides that you and yours can't assemble.
And I do have to mention, clearly North Carolina as a death penalty state wasn't a factor, since he shot and killed himself.
oak creek resident
9:28 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
Carolyn people are allowed to assemble and meet regardless if you agree with their beliefs. In the context of your arguement, most rap concerts would be banned as they promote violence against police, whites, etc.
Better get your head out of your old white arse.
vocal local 1
6:52 pm on Saturday, August 11, 2012
In my opinion: the entire investigation went south post Wednesdays press conference release. Prior, we did not hear anything about a self-inflected gunshot wound to the head. We were told an OC Police Officer shot and killed the perp. Just prior to the press conference I heard an OCPD officer say that when Wade Page ran into Sam he ran into a bus. What are the facts? We know that Sam is the best shot in the department. We know he does or did have charge of the indoor police range. We know that cops train on head shots. We know a fellow officer was shot and on the ground. I'm a good shot. I'm wearing body armour and I don't know if the perp is or isn't. I'm going for a head shot wouldn't you?