Eight people have been killed in a mass shooting at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis, Indiana. Several other people have been injured.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said the suspected gunman had also taken his own life in the shooting on Thursday night.
In a statement issued early on Friday morning, the police department said officers had responded to reports of shots fired at the FedEx Ground Plainview operations center. They found an "active shooter incident" and multiple victims who had injuries consistent with gunshot wounds.
Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services pronounced eight people dead at the scene, not including the gunman, the statement added.
Five people with gunshot wounds were transported to local hospitals for treatment. Two victims were treated by medics at the scene and released.
In an earlier press conference, Indianapolis police spokeswoman Genae Cook said "multiple" other victims had made their own way to hospitals nearby.
Officials have not released any more information about the shooter or possible motive.
One eyewitness, FedEx worker Jeremiah Miller, described seeing the gunman opening fire inside the operations center, which is close to Indianapolis airport.
"I saw a man with a sub-machine gun of some sort, an automatic rifle, and he was firing in the open. I immediately ducked down and got scared," he told the AFP news agency.
In a statement, FedEx said: "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 co-operating with investigating authorities."
Rep. André Carson, who represents Indiana's 7th congressional district, tweeted: "I am heartbroken by the mass shooting at the FedEx facility here in Indianapolis and praying for all affected by this tragedy.
"I am communicating with local authorities to get all details of the attack and my office stands ready to help everyone affected any way we can."
Indiana State Police detectives are working with homicide detectives from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department to interview multiple witnesses.
The Marion County Coroner's Office will release the name of the victims once their families have been notified.
Correction 4/16/21, 7:15 a.m. ET: This article was updated to correct the number of injuries reported in the shooting.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Ewan Palmer is a Newsweek News Reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on US politics, domestic policy ... Read more
