US factory worker in gun rampage

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BBC

An employee at a plastics factory in Kentucky shot five colleagues dead and injured another before killing himself, police said.

He opened fire at the Atlantis Plastics factory in Henderson city after arguing with a male supervisor, said police.

Using a handgun he fetched from his car, the employee killed the supervisor, two other male workers and two females, police told the BBC.

A sixth victim, a woman, was in a stable condition in hospital.

She was being treated at St Mary's Hospital in Evansville, Indiana, Henderson police Det Preston Herndon told BBC News.

'Total shock'

The night-shift worker, who has not yet been identified, shot the supervisor outside the plant before re-entering the building to open fire on other colleagues, he said.

"We're still piecing together events but we believe the gunman had an altercation with a supervisor and went out to his vehicle to retrieve a firearm," Det Herndon said.

"We believe he then had another altercation outside with the supervisor and opened fire.

"He then went into the building to a break room with lunch tables set up where other colleagues were and continued his shooting spree."

Atlantis Plastics chief executive officer Bud Philbrook told AP news agency that the killings were a "total shock".

The rampage happened at just after midnight on Wednesday at 1218 (0418GMT).

Staff at the plant, which employs about 150 people and makes refrigerators parts, have been sent home for the day.

[Rogue 9]

From the local paper's website; this happened too late for today's print edition.

UPDATE: Gunman kills five, self at Henderson plastics plant

Staff and wire reports
Originally published 06:36 a.m., June 25, 2008
Updated 11:08 a.m., June 25, 2008

UPDATE:

Authorities say an argument with an employee likely precipitated a shooting rampage that left six people dead at a Henderson Plastics company.

Henderson Police Department Sgt. John Nevels said the shooter - a 25-year-old Henderson man whose name has not been released - had gotten into a fight with a coworker earlier in his shift and had been sent home over the incident.

The man reportedly retrieved a handgun from his car, fatally shot the supervisor who sent him home, shot four others in a break room and then tracked down the employee he had fought with, fatally shooting him as well. The man then took his own life, Nevels said.

Officials have not released names of any of the victims, although they describe the supervisor as a 30-year-old man from Dixon, Ky. The other victims live in the Henderson area and range in age from 22 to 28, he said.

Autopsies are slated for this afternoon, according to Vanderburgh County Chief Deputy Coroner Annie Groves. The first four will be in Henderson — two more will be in Evansville at 4 p.m.

One victim, a woman shot in the break room, remained in critical condition at St. Mary's Medical Center in Evansville this morning. Nevels said she was shot multiple times, but that she was conscious and speaking with police.

Investigators are currently meeting with family members to piece together more information about the shooter before developing a firm motive. But Nevels said all signs point to the altercation - and the ensuing disciplinary action - setting the man off.

"We're looking into that's probably why he did the shooting," Nevels said, adding there's no telling what words were exchanged between the shooter and the supervisor just before the rampage began: "We don't know what he said. I don't think we ever will."

Witnesses told police it was just minutes between hearing a pop outside and seeing the gunman barge into the break room, appearing to fire randomly. Detectives have a video of that stage of the crime.

"He just comes in there and it looks like he's randomly shooting people in the break room," Nevels said. Employees can be seen diving under chairs and table for cover, he said.

The shooter then tracked down the employee he had fought with. No information on their earlier dispute was available, although Nevels said police believe the shooter may have struck the man after the initial dispute.

The shooter had prior disciplinary action within the factory for poor performance, but nothing that would suggest violent behavior, Nevels said. Officials are still investigating if he has a criminal record.

The shooter lived in Henderson with his girlfriend and her small child. Nevels said it was unclear if he was the father.

EARLIER:

HENDERSON, Ky. — An employee got into an argument with a supervisor early today at Atlantis Plastics in Henderson, then shot six people in a break room — five fatally — and killed himself, police said.

According to Vanderburgh County Chief Deputy Coroner Annie Groves, two shooting victims died at the scene, two died at Methodist Hospital in Henderson, one died at St. Mary's Medical Center in Evansville and another died at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville.

Another victim is still being treated at St. Mary's in Evansville.

Names of those involved in the shooting have not been released.

Bud Philbrook, CEO of Atlanta-based Atlantis Plastics says the killings are just a “total shock.”

Philbrook says the employee began arguing with a supervisor around midnight, then shot the supervisor before opening fire in a break room. Police say the shooter ended the rampage by killing himself.

The plant employs about 150 people and makes parts for refrigerators and plastic siding for homes. Employees have been sent home for the day.

“It appears the shooting was random at this time,” Henderson Police Lt. David Piller said.

Police did not say if the supervisor the employee argued with was among the victims.

“Our community is in shock right now. We’re just taking up to the news,” said Henderson County Judge Executive Sandy Watkins. “What a terrible thing to have happened. My heart goes out to the families. My goodness, how devastating.”

“It leaves you with an empty feeling,” said Henderson Mayor Tom Davis, who said he had just met with the plant manager and offered the assistance of any city agencies that might help employees or families cope with the traumatic news.

“Right now we’re in shock. I don’t remember anything of this magnitude happening here, although we are subject to crime like anyone else. It’s been some times since we’ve have a multiple homicide.”

A woman who answered the phone at a number for Atlantis Plastics declined to give her name and would only say that the company would not comment until a 3 p.m. news conference. The company’s Web site said it is based in Atlanta, Ga.

Hours after the shooting, police had set up a roadblock on the street leading to the plant, which is located at 390 Community Drive off South Green Street.

Other employees at the plant were sent home.