Police reportedly identified the suspected gunman who is believed to have killed eight people and wounded several others at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis Thursday before killing himself, The Associated Press (AP) reported.
Brandon Scott Hole, 19, was identified by police as the suspect, AP was reportedly told by anonymous law enforcement officials.
Police were called to the FedEx Ground facility just after 11 p.m. Thursday, and found an “active shooter incident” upon arrival at the scene, according to IndyStar.
IMPD says 8 people have died and multiple others were injured in the mass shooting at the FedEx facility in Indy. pic.twitter.com/CwVCqEhmyn
— WRTV Indianapolis (@wrtv) April 16, 2021
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police (IMPD) said five people were hospitalized, two were treated and released at the scene, and one person had critical injuries after the shooting, according to AP.
Police said the shooter was a man in his 20s, according to AP. Police believe the suspect opened fire randomly in the parking lot and then went into the facility and continued firing.
“There was no confrontation with anyone that was there,” Deputy Chief Craig McCartt said, according to AP. “There was no disturbance, there was no argument. He just appeared to randomly start shooting.”
Police said the eight people killed had injuries consistent with gunshot wounds, according to IndyStar. The gunman was found dead nearby from what police believe was a suicide. Investigators have not identified the shooter or a motive.
Police noted that the FedEx facility employs a “significant” number of people from the Sikh community, according to AP.
“We’re still trying to ascertain the exact reason and cause for this incident,” Genae Cook, Indianapolis police spokesperson, said, according to AP.
FedEx said employees of the company were among those killed in the shooting, according to the AP.
“We are deeply shocked and saddened by the loss of our team members following the tragic shooting at our FedEx Ground facility in Indianapolis,” a Friday morning statement on Twitter by FedEx said.
— FedEx (@FedEx) April 16, 2021
“Our most heartfelt sympathies are with all those affected by this senseless act of violence. The safety of our team members is our top priority, and we are fully cooperating with investigating authorities,” the statement continued.
A witness told WTHR that he was working at the facility when he saw a man with a rifle.
“I’m at a bench and so I stand up and take a look at the entrance door and by the time I see the door, I see a man come out with a rifle in his hand and he starts firing and he starts yellin’ stuff that I could not understand,” Levi Miller told WTHR.
“What I ended up doing was ducking down to make sure he did not see me because I thought he would see me and he would shoot me.”
FedEx and police were working to reunite family members with FedEx employees, an effort complicated by the fact that the company’s employees reportedly do not have cell phones on them while working, according to CNN.
Family members arriving to nearby Holiday Inn after shooting at Fed-Ex facility. Frustration as they say they haven’t been able to reach family working inside. Say there is a policy barring workers carrying phones on shift @WTHRcom pic.twitter.com/78Nr9QDT8h
— Allen Carter (@CarterNews) April 16, 2021
IMPD will work with the Indiana State Police to investigate the shooting, according to Indy Star. The FBI is also assisting with the investigation, according to WTHR.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.