Cincinnati, April 30: A family of four Sikhs were shot dead inside their apartment complex in West Chester, a suburb in Ohio's Cincinnati. They were found dead on Sunday night, triggering alarm across the Sikh community based in the locality. The West Chester Township police has launched a probe into the attack, which is as of now being suspected as an act of "hate crime".

Locals in neighbouring apartments said they heard a barrage of gunfire, which forced them to rush out on the streets. However, the alleged killer had fled from the spot. A search operation has been launched to hunt down the accused. Sikh Man Attacked, Beard Pulled in US; Attacker Charged With Hate Crime

The deceased, said West Chester Police Chief Joel Herzog, are all adults. They have been identified as family patriarch - Hakikat Panag, his wife Paramjit Kaur, his adult daughter Shalinder Kaur, and his sister-in-law Amarjit Kaur.

Jasminder Singh, priest of the local Sikh temple, expressed dismay and shock over the demise of the family. The deaths, he said, has devastated the entire community and left in a state of shock and fear. "It is a huge loss for us," Jasminder said, adding that the family used to regularly attend the prayers and be involved in community activities.

Police Chief Joel Herzog has, however, ruled out a threat to the entire Sikh community based in West Chester. He has assured of strengthening security in the region, and cracking down on the perpetrator of the homicide at the earliest.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 30, 2019 09:55 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).