Wisconsin Sikh shooter has ties to Central Fla.

Wade Michael Page was member of Fla. white supremacist group band

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The alleged gunman in the shooting of a Wisconsin Sikh Temple was involved with a white supremacist group in the Orlando area, called the Hammerskins, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

ADL's Center of Extremism found that Wade Michael Page, 41, was a member of "Define Hate" a white power music band affiliated with the Hammerskins, which is a hardcore racist skinhead group with a history of violence and hate crimes.

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According to a release, the Hammerskins have at least several dozen active members in Orlando.

"Page's Hammerskins-associated band, "Definite Hate," played for at least six white power music concerts in Florida over the years," said Yael Hershfield, ADL Florida Interim Regional Director, in a release. "White power music has served as a powerful inspirational force and sometimes even a recruiting tool for racist skinhead groups such as the Hammerskins. These white supremacists use the power of music to spread their message of hate."

ADL found that "Define Hate" performed at various Florida venues, such as "Hammerfest" in December 2002, 2009 and 2011; and Hammerskins' annual St. Patty's Day Festival in 2005 and 2008.

Authorities say Page was responsible for Sunday's shooting spree that killed six people and wounded four at a religious service in a Milwaukee suburb. He was shot to death by authorities responding.


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