Father of Infant Triplets Abducted from Tracy Gurdwara; Authorities Say He Was Not the Intended Target
CHANDIGARH: A 57-year-old Sikh temple volunteer was allegedly kidnapped in broad daylight from a gurdwara in Tracy, California (US) and later found dead in what authorities believe was a tragic case of mistaken identity, sending shockwaves through the local community.
Avtar Singh, a longtime sevadar and head cook at Gurdwara Gur Nanak Parkash, was abducted on February 17 at around 2:30 pm near the temple on West Grant Line Road. Surveillance footage captured three unidentified individuals dressed in dark clothing approaching Singh, briefly speaking with him, and then forcibly pushing him into a white SUV despite his visible attempts to resist. The vehicle then sped away.
Singh, who had served the gurdwara for more than 23 years, lived on the temple grounds with his wife and their infant triplets, who are only a few months old. He was widely known for his dedication to service, particularly in preparing meals in the langar, the community kitchen that feeds worshippers and visitors.
His wife discovered something was wrong later that day when she returned to find their babies alone but unharmed. Singh was officially reported missing at approximately 8:52 pm.
On February 20 at around 3:20 pm, deputies from the Napa County Sheriff’s Office located a body near Lake Berryessa, roughly two hours north of Tracy. The remains were later confirmed to be Singh’s. The case is being investigated as a homicide by multiple agencies, including the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office.
San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow said the killing was not a random act and that Singh was not the intended target. According to investigators, the suspects were allegedly seeking another individual for a specific reason, though details about the intended target or motive have not yet been disclosed.
“This was not a random act,” Sheriff Withrow said, adding that authorities believe the motive will become clearer as the investigation progresses. Officials have emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the broader community and have described the incident as isolated.
The temple community is grappling with profound grief. Deep Singh, secretary and spokesperson of the gurdwara, described Avtar Singh as sincere, hardworking, and deeply committed to seva, or selfless service. The family had recently celebrated bringing their premature triplets home after an extended hospital stay, making the loss even more devastating.
A fundraiser has been launched by the temple to help cover funeral expenses and support the grieving family. The medical examiner has completed an autopsy, but the exact cause of death has not yet been publicly released.
As detectives continue their search for suspects, the tragedy has underscored the vulnerability even within close-knit communities. For the Sikh community in Tracy and beyond, the loss is not only personal but symbolic of a life devoted to service, cut short in a senseless act of violence.
