BREAKING: Naked Man Arrested For Sacrilege at Spokane Valley Gurdwara in Washington

Editor’s Note: Please refer to this story for latest updates.

Naked Man Arrested For Sacrilege at Spokane Valley Gurdwara in Washington
Watch this video on YouTube.

SPOKANE VALLEY, WA, USA—Sikh Sangat from the Spokane Valley Gurdwara Sahib (Sikh Temple) are in shock after a naked man broke into and vandalized the building.  The holy scripture of Guru Granth Sahib was desecrated.  The man was identified as Jeffrey C. Pittman and faces a possible hate crime charge.

Granthi Gurjeet Singh Aujla stated that angs (pages) from Guru Granth Sahib were ripped by the vandal.  He expressed utter dismay at the incident.   

Describing the scene, Raman Kaur Nagra posted, “Early before sunrise my mom went to Gurdwara, not expecting to see… a completely vandalized and ransacked area. Bathrooms completely destroyed, and the worship room demolished.”

Nagra’s mom called upon others to arrive in the Darbar Sahib and phoned 911.  Police arrived swiftly before Pittman could cause further damage.

“It was terrifying to see our Guru Granth Sahib Ji torn and a room that was built with such hard work and dedication completely destroyed and disrespected,” she added.

The following statement was released by the Spokane County Sheriff’s office –

This morning, at approximately 5:45 a.m., Spokane Valley Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call of a naked male caught vandalizing the Sikh Temple located at 1420 North Barker Road in Spokane Valley.

When Deputies arrived, 44-year-old Jeffrey C. Pittman had been detained by witnesses. Members of the Temple said when they arrived, they found Pittman inside. He was naked, had a blanket wrapped around him and was holding a decorative sword. They detained Pittman after a short altercation. The damage is estimated to be several thousand dollars and there was damage to religiously sacred items of the Temple.

Spokane Valley Investigative Unit Detectives were called to the scene to continue the investigation.

Pittman was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Burglary 1st Degree, Malicious Harassment and Malicious Mischief 2nd Degree.

Sheriff Knezovich said, “All religions should be respected. Any crime committed due to someone’s religious beliefs will be a priority and fully investigated.”

The Spokane Interfaith Council is holding an interfaith conference at the Gurdwara at 4 PM.  The address for the Gurdwara is 1420 N Barker Road, Spokane Valley, WA.

6 COMMENTS

  1. The new world do not recognized “bowing and high respect to knowledgeable volume”, that is why problems occurring. Sikhs are unable to present others the need of GGS bani among current world which is full of knowledgeable books, ideas, scientist, professors, professionals and strength of man that is more powerful then those day of khlasa.
    Sikhs have to decide, to remain in traditional order of practice or something that can balance among fast moving world.

    The Gurduara’s are left only for rituals and business. If the real image of gurdaura were presented as a “school of learning high spiritual knowledge” then there might be no insult acts.
    Hope Sikhs can present the well image of gurduara balancing current world.

  2. Where was Granthi or any other sikh sangat ? how could they leave Guru Ji alone and no one could tackle one man… to protect our Guru Ji.
    Sad that our Gurdwaras are not protecting themselves and safeguard our Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

  3. Sad to see no one will comment here when Guru Granth Sahib ji ki beadi hoi a. But will be happy to express there fealings when its something about the sgpc.. What a world.

Leave a Reply to Gurveer Singh Cancel reply

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here