At least eight people are dead and an unknown number injured after a gunman opened fire at a FedEx ground facility near the Indianapolis airport late Thursday night. When police arrived at the scene, it was still an “active shooter” situation, but police say the shooter took his own life shorty after.
The shooter has not yet been identified, and his motive is not known. 911 callers described the man as a “white male, wearing a hat” and described his weapon as a “machine gun.” Multiple calls were made to 911 saying the shooter was moving through the facility, shooting randomly. The night shift at this facility has approximately 100 employees. It is the second-largest FedEx Express Hub in the world, according to an internal briefing from the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
In a media briefing, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Officer Genae Cook said that when police officers arrived at the FedEx facility shortly after 11:00 p.m., the shooter was still active, but then — as is so typical in these scenarios — committed suicide. “The shooter has taken his own life,” Cook said, adding, “We don’t feel that there is an active threat to the community at this time.” Police found multiple gunshot victims inside and outside the shipping facility. Cook described the carnage of the scene as “a sight no one should see.”
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Multiple victims were transported to local area hospitals while family members of employees gathered at a nearby Holiday Inn to await news of their loved ones.
FedEx released a statement early Friday morning, saying:
We are deeply shocked and saddened by the loss of our team members following the tragic shooting at our FedEx Ground facility in Indianapolis. 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.
In a Friday morning statement from the city, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said, “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.” He added, “As law enforcement works to learn more about this tragedy, our prayers are with the families of those whose lives were cut short.”
President Biden is being briefed on the shooting. With Democrats in control of both houses of Congress and the White House, this incident is almost certain to become a springboard for a new round of anti-gun legislation.
The New American will keep our readers updated as this story develops.
