Eight people died and several others injured during an overnight mass shooting at an Indianapolis FedEx facility.
What happened in the Indianapolis shooting
Police responded to an “active shooter incident” after 11 p.m. Thursday at a FedEx Ground facility — near the Indianapolis International Airport — and believe the shooter killed themselves, said officer Genae Cook, a spokesperson for Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, the Indianapolis Star reported.
- “We’re still trying to ascertain the exact reason and cause for this incident,” Cook said, according to The Associated Press.
- “We are being made aware of multiple other people with injuries who have been transported to local hospitals or who have transported themselves to local hospitals,” Cook said at press conference that took place after 3 a.m. Friday morning, according to the Indianapolis Star.
- Police said later that “five victims with injuries consistent with gunshot wounds were transported to local hospitals for treatment” and “two victims were treated by medics at the scene and released,” the Indianapolis Star reported.
FedEx ‘saddened by loss of our team members’
In a statement Friday morning, FedEx said it was “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,” the statement said.
Families waiting to hear from loved ones
A reunification center was established at a Holiday Inn near the shooting for employees to meet with worried loved ones Friday morning, the Indianapolis Star reported. Hours after the incident, families that had not heard from their relatives, who are employed by FedEx were worried.
- “When you see notifications on your phone, but you’re not getting a text back from your kid and you’re not getting information and you still don’t know where they are … what are you supposed to do?” Mindy Carson, who’s daughter Jessica works at the FedEx facility, said holding back tears, according to the AP.
- “Most employees aren’t allowed to carry cellphones inside the FedEx building, making contact with them difficult,” the AP reported.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said the city’s “prayers are with the families of those whose lives were cut short,” on Twitter early Friday morning.
- “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,” the mayor added.