The ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah, came under attack in suspected hate crimes, according to a recent social media announcement. Famous for its annual Holi Festival, the temple was reportedly attacked over the past several days.
“20-30 bullets were fired at the temple building and the surrounding property,” shared the official ISKCON X page. They further shared that the incidents took place during night hours while devotees were still present at the premises. As per the official release, these gunfire attacks have resulted in the establishment incurring structural damage worth thousands of dollars, including the temple’s hand-carved arches.
Consequently, the Consulate General of India in San Francisco firmly condemned the shooting incident in Utah. “The Consulate extends full support to all the devotees and the community and urges the local authorities to take prompt action to bring the perpetrators to justice,” the India in SF officials shared via X.
The Utah County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed an investigation is underway.
The sheriff’s office said the vandalism started a couple of weeks ago, and deputies recovered several bullet casings from the site located near State Street and 8500 South. “Our office was made aware of several acts of vandalism directed towards the Krishna Temple,” the Utah County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement posted on Instagram. “Deputies responded to the Temple and recovered various items of evidence, including casings from the rounds fired at the Temple.” The incidents have been assigned to the department’s Investigations Division, and the office is urging the public to share any information. “If you were in the area… and saw anything suspicious—please call into Central Dispatch… you can always remain anonymous,” the post added.
According to the temple’s co-founder, Vaibhavi Devi Dasi, an estimated 20–30 bullets were fired at the temple building and surrounding property over several nights. The attacks caused extensive structural damage, including bullet holes in the hand-carved arches and a temple window. One bullet traveled into a wall of the main worship space while devotees and guests were present inside the temple.
A pickup truck was spotted on surveillance footage near the temple during the time of one of the shootings, but no suspect has yet been identified. About 20 shell casings were found on the road outside the temple’s security fence.
On June 18, temple staff had reported hearing a loud noise and seeing smoke from the radio station roof, though the cause was unclear at the time.
The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols in the area. Meanwhile, the temple is enhancing security, with Springville-based GARD offering a surveillance truck free of charge for two weeks. A $1,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.
CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America) condemned the attack on X, noting, “Attacks on Hindu temples continue unabated… We ask local police and state authorities to investigate this with utmost urgency. Please note there has been a rash of attacks… in California, Minneapolis, New York, Texas and now Utah.”
