The FedEx facility is located at Cobb County Airport-McCollum field in suburban Atlanta. WXIA-TV reported that FedEx employees who were arriving for the early morning shift were turned away. USA Today reported that employees who were already at the facility were held in a warehouse on the property while the facility was placed on a lock down.
Officials have reported that a FedEx package handler went on a shooting rampage with an assault rifle and with bullets strapped to his chest, opening fire on his fellow FedEx employees. He was dressed all in black, and he entered the warehouse wounding six people, three critically – before turning the gun on himself.
Liza Aiken, a Cobb County FedEx employee, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, according to a report by Reuters that, “He had bullets strapped to his chest like Rambo.” She told the newspaper that, “He looked like he was heading into war.”
A physician at the WellStar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Michael Nitzken, told reporters that two of the critically injured patients have life-threatening wounds. A fourth victim is in stable condition. Michael Nitzken said that according to USA Today, all of the victims’ wounds were consistent with shotgun blasts.
Scott Fielder, a FedEx spokesperson, issued a statement from the company, according to USA Today, saying that “Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected, and with their families and friends. We are grateful for the assistance of law enforcement. The situation is now stabilized and we are focused on the needs of our team members and cooperating with the law enforcement investigation of this tragedy.” The Police according to USA Today have declined to identify the shooter. The male suspect died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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