Indianapolis Man Arrested in Connection with Sikh Temple Shooting and Arson
INDIANAPOLIS — A 22-year-old Indianapolis man, Gurpreet Singh, has been arrested in Ohio and now faces additional charges related to a shooting at a Sikh temple and an alleged arson scheme.
Singh was initially charged last month in Marion County court with three felonies stemming from a February shooting at the Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis, a place of worship located on the city’s southeast side. Authorities have now added two counts of felony arson to the charges.
Gurpreet Singh mugshot
Shooting Incident at Sikh Temple
On February 16, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to the Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers discovered a man inside a restroom with a gunshot wound to the hip. The victim was transported to Eskenazi Hospital and was reported to be in good condition.
The investigation revealed that the victim had previously performed construction work at Singh’s home approximately two years prior and was allegedly owed $12,000. The victim stated that Singh continually delayed payment using various excuses. Following a recent conversation, the victim confronted Singh at the temple.
During their meeting in the restroom, Singh allegedly pulled out a firearm and pointed it at the victim. The victim pushed Singh, at which point Singh fired a shot, hitting the victim in the hip. The victim reported that Singh hit him in the face and said, “I’ll kill you.”
Police respond to Sikh temple
A witness reported hearing a gunshot and seeing Singh exit the restroom, stating he had been pushed and was forced to shoot. The witness attempted to detain Singh, but Singh fled the scene. Law enforcement recovered a 9mm shell casing and two live 9mm rounds at the scene. A search warrant executed at Singh’s home two days later yielded a 9mm Springfield Armory handgun, shell casings, and live rounds.
Arson Investigation
The arson charges against Singh are linked to a fire that occurred in April 2024 at a residence he owned on the city’s southeast side. Indianapolis Fire Department crews responded to the blaze on Tart Boulevard, finding heavy fire throughout the roof. After extinguishing the fire, investigators determined that there were no apparent electrical, gas, or structural issues causing the fire and that the cause of the fire was incendiary.
Investigators concluded that Singh intentionally set the fire in an act of arson. They noted that smoke detectors in the home had been removed. Court documents indicate Singh allegedly started the fire to collect insurance money on the home, valued at $430,000. Officials estimate the fire caused approximately $480,000 in damage.
Current Legal Status
Singh was arrested in Dayton, Ohio, on February 24 for driving a stolen car. He now faces the following charges in Marion County:
- Battery by Means of a Deadly Weapon – Level 5 Felony
- Pointing a Firearm at Another – Level 6 Felony
- Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury – Class A Misdemeanor
- Arson Damage by Fire – Level 4 Felony
- Arson With Intent to Defraud – Level 6 Felony
Online court records confirm Singh is being held in jail without bond pending an initial hearing in his arson case on Wednesday before Judge Charles Miller. Following the setting and payment of bond, Singh will be required to pay an additional $20,000 cash and be placed on home detention with GPS monitoring for the other charges. An initial hearing for the shooting case took place on March 20 in Marion Superior Court 29. A jury trial is scheduled to commence on May 20, also before Judge Miller.
