Several religious organizations spoke out in support of the local Hindu community after the Krishna Temple near Spanish Fork was the target of an alleged hate crime.

Around 20-30 shots were reportedly fired at the temple near Spanish Fork across multiple nights in June, damaging the edifice and prompting an investigation by the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, which confirmed Monday an investigation remains ongoing.

The Utah Valley Interfaith group denounced the “hateful actions” and reaffirmed its solidarity with Hindu people and members of all faiths who face persecution.

“The recent acts of violence targeting this sacred space are heartbreaking, unacceptable and fundamentally opposed to the spirit of love, peace and mutual respect we strive to uphold,” Utah Valley Interfaith said.

Monica Bambrough, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Mount Nebo Communication Council, called the incident “heartbreaking” and asked for tolerance and understanding.

“These kinds of actions have no place in society or in our small community,” she said. “I love my friends at the Krishna Temple and for this to happen to them is heartbreaking. If you’d like to know and understand their beliefs a little better, visit them, have a conversation with them, attend their service or serve with them.”

The reported incident also caught the attention of religious organizations beyond the state’s boundaries.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, based in Washington, D.C., released a statement from its director, Ibrahim Hooper, who condemned the attacks and cited other recent attacks of Hindu houses of worship within the last year.

“We condemn these allegedly bias-motivated attacks on a house of worship and express our solidarity with members of the Hindu community in Utah and nationwide as they are targeted by hate,” Hooper said. “All minority communities are unfortunately being forced to deal with the rising level of bigotry and division we are witnessing throughout our nation.”

The Consulate General of India, based in San Francisco, made note of the incident, extending its support to the community and urging authorities to “take prompt action to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

Krishna Temple co-founder Vai Warden said she felt the attack was politically motivated and expressed concerns over where society is trending.

“I personally feel there’s an atmosphere going on in these days which is somewhat impeaching of people who are not following the status quo of leadership,” she said.

She said her community is trying to “live simply amongst ourselves,” while respecting others.