A gunman killed at least eight people at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis and wounded several others before taking his own life, police said early on Friday.
The rampage unfolded at a FedEx operations center near the Indianapolis International Airport after 11 p.m. local time on Thursday night.
A worker at the air freight facility told local television station WRTV that he was eating when he heard what sounded like “two loud metal clangs” followed by more shots.
“Somebody went behind their car to the trunk and then got another gun,” he said, adding: “Then I saw one body on the floor.”
Another FedEx employee, Levi Miller, told NBC’s “Today Show” he saw a “hooded figure” holding what appeared to be an AR-style semi-automatic rifle who shouted and opened fire outside the facility.
“I thought he saw me, and so I immediately ducked for cover,” he said.
Indianapolis police spokeswoman Genae Cook told local reporters the authorities had “arrived to an active shooter incident.”
“Preliminary information is that the alleged shooter has taken his own life here at the scene,” she said.
Five people were taken to hospitals with gunshot wounds, while “multiple” others walked into hospitals nearby, police said. Two more were treated at the facility itself by medical staff and released.
One of the people taken to a hospital was in critical condition, Cook said.
No further information about the victims, the suspect or the suspect’s possible motive was immediately available.
The Indianapolis police department’s deputy chief, Craig McCartt, told CNN that police did not fire any shots in the incident.
In a statement, FedEx said, “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the loss of our team members.” It was not immediately clear if all of the victims were employees of the company.
“Our most heartfelt sympathies are with all those affected by this senseless act of violence,” FedEx said. “The safety of our team members is our top priority, and we are fully cooperating with investigating authorities.”
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb said he would order flags lowered to half-staff until Tuesday.
In times like this, words like justice and sorrow fall short in response for those senselessly taken. Our thoughts are with the families, friends, coworkers and all those affected by this terrible situation. 2/3
— Governor Eric Holcomb (@GovHolcomb) April 16, 2021
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett wrote on Twitter early on Friday: “This morning, Indianapolis residents are confronted with the horrific news of yet another mass shooting, an act of violence that senselessly claimed the lives of eight of our neighbors.”
Thank you to all of our city’s first responders for their tireless work overnight. Their quick response provided critical aid to those injured in the shooting and brought a measure of calm to an otherwise chaotic scene.
— Mayor Joe Hogsett (@IndyMayorJoe) April 16, 2021
Copyright 2021 Thomson/Reuters