Photo courtesy of LAPD
LOS ANGELES, CA — Voices For Freedom (VFF) calls for a transparent and thorough investigation into the fatal police shooting of Gurpreet Singh, a 35-year-old Sikh man, that occurred on July 13 in downtown Los Angeles. Mr. Singh succumbed to his injuries on July 17.
Video footage released by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) on August 29, 2025, shows Mr. Singh, who was reportedly performing Gatka, a traditional Sikh martial art, with a large blade, at a busy intersection. While police stated Mr. Singh refused to comply with commands and threw a water bottle at officers before allegedly charging at them, the incident raises serious questions about de-escalation tactics and cultural awareness training among officers. The blade, which some reports identify as a ceremonial Sikh sword known as a “khanda,” is a significant religious article for Sikhs.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Gurpreet Singh and the Sikh community,” said a VFF spokesperson. “The circumstances of this tragedy are deeply concerning. While we understand the need for officer safety, we must also address whether police training adequately prepares officers to handle encounters with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. It is imperative that we get a full and unbiased account of what happened and ensure accountability.”
VFF is monitoring the ongoing investigation and urges the LAPD to release all relevant unedited body camera and dash camera footage. The organization also calls for an independent review of the incident to determine if cultural misunderstandings or excessive force played a role in Mr. Singh’s death.
