Black Country builder shot dead by police: War of words over killing

Readers of a local newspaper in Wisconsin have divided opinion over Sharrinder Singh Garcha, who an inquest heard was lawfully killed by US policeman William Gray - with some even calling him a terrorist.

The 20-year-old from Bull Street, Darlaston, had stabbed the policeman in the neck, face and hand as they were sitting in a car while looking for a missing 17-year-old girl Garcha was said to have gone to the States to meet.

His family say he was looking for work in the building industry.

On the website of the Chippewa Herald newspaper, which covers the county where the incident took place in November, readers accused Sikh Garcha of being an Islamic terrorist while others leapt to his defence and said there were 'two sides' to the story and that Garcha 'would not hurt a fly'.

Someone calling himself Tim1 wrote 'RIP Sharrinder Garcha'.

But 'youknowme' replied: "I don't think a terrorist should rest in peace Tim1. You try to cut the head of an American, you die."

Bluehillsmike waded in with: "Terrorists arrive in Chippewa County courtesy of our nearby home of all Islamic terrorism, Minneapolis-St Paul."

The user appeared not to understand that Mr Garcha was Sikh, not Muslim and that his death had nothing to do with terrorism.

ECresident2 corrected him saying: "There has been absolutely no mention the man killed had terrorist ties.

"Are you making this accusation because of his nationality? There's bad apples in every group, whether it be white, colored, homegrown, or coming from out of country. That doesn't mean all are bad people."

Tim1 then revealed himself to have known Garcha and appears to be British because of his spelling of the word 'colour'. He told readers: "I can assure everyone that Sharrinder was not a terrorist of any sort.

"He was a caring, educated, family guy and could not hurt a fly let alone a officer.

"You should not assume he was a terrorist because the colour of his skin. And this is not the first time an individual has been shot by the American police when they were innocent. There is two sides to every story and justice will be served."

Lucidity replied: "Justice has already been served" while Empire 2 said: "Wow Tim, would not hurt a fly? Did the officer stab himself? "Education has nothing to do with it. Assume he was a terrorist by the color of his skin? I've never laid eyes on the guy. But Homeland Security doesn't usually track down caring guys who would not hurt a fly. I think justice has already been served. Some people just don't fit into the confines of societal living, and they must be dealt with, as Mr Garcha found out."

And Singh1 said: "Omg the ignorance of people on here. I taught Sharrinder in high school and as Tim said he was a kind and gentle young man.

"It is far more believable that an American police officer would inflict 'non-life threatening' stab wounds than believe Sharrinder is capable of that.

"Also with regards to being a terrorist and beheading Americans Sharrinder was a Sikh. Do your research on Sikhism, it has no connection to Islam! RIP Sharrinder x"

Garcha flew into Tampa International Airport in Florida on October 10 but was immediately refused entry because police believed he was there to meet a young girl under the age of 18.

His passport was confiscated and he was told he would be deported the next day. Garcha, however, failed to collect the passport and it is believed he met up with the 17-year-old girl.

They then left Florida and ran away to Wisconsin. Once there, Garcha came into contact with the police again and said he had information about the runaway girl. Officers realised he was supposed to be deported and that is what is believed to have provoked the stabbing and shooting on November 14.