Obama denounces Wisconsin temple shooting

WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama on Sunday denounced the shooting incident at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin as a "senseless act of violence," and expressed condolences for the victims.

The president called Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, Oak Creek Mayor Steve Scaffidi, and trustees of the Sikh temple on Sunday afternoon, expressing his condolences for the lives lost and his concern for those who were injured, according to a White House statement.

During an earlier briefing with administration officials, Obama was informed that the situation at the Sikh temple was under control, and that "the lone gunmen was killed by an Oak Creek police officer," the statement added.

Obama was notified of the Wisconsin shooting early in the afternoon by his Homeland Security Advisor John Brennan, and then received updates through a phone call with FBI Director Bob Mueller and Chief of Staff Jack Lew.

The president issued a statement earlier, saying that he was deeply saddened by the tragic incident.

"Our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who were killed and wounded," Obama said, adding that his administration would provide whatever support needed to the officials who are responding to the incident and moving forward with an investigation.

At least seven people, including a suspected gunman, were killed in the temple shooting on Sunday, local police confirmed.

Four people were found dead inside the temple, and three others outside, including the gunman who was fatally shot by a police officer in the exchange of fire, said the police. Three injured people including one police officer were in critical condition at a local hospital.

Though not much information -- including the gunman's identity and motives or how the shooting actually happened -- was immediately available, Wisconsin police have announced that they are treating the shooting as a "domestic terrorist type incident."

The tragedy came just half a month after a shocking mass shooting at a Colorado movie theater that claimed 12 lives and wounded nearly 60.