At least eight people were killed and five injured when a gunman opened fire at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis. The incident took place at a FedEx facility near the airport on Thursday night. According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) at the time of the incident, there were at least 100 people present at the location.

Earlier today, IMPD issued a statement identifying the shooter as a 19-year-old former employee of FedEx. They said, “The suspect, identified as Brandon Hole, was found deceased inside of the business with what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.”

The FBI is now coordinating with the local police and earlier today, addressing a press conference FBI Special Agent in charge Paul Keenan said that it would be “premature to speculate on the motivation”. IMPD Deputy Chief Craig McCartt told media persons that when police arrived on the spot, “they found a very chaotic and active crime scene.”

Sequence of events

Describing how events unfolded, the IMPD said, “Just after 11:00 p.m. on April 15, 2021, IMPD received a call for service to 8951 Mirabel Road, FedEx Ground-Plainfield Operation, for shots being fired outside of the building.” IMPD further described the sequence of events saying, “In total, the shooting lasted less than four minutes and was over prior to officer’s arrival.”

“Once officers arrived, they secured the scene by searching the interior and exterior of the business for the suspect and for anyone in need of medical services. Officers administered first-aid and life-saving techniques until Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services (IEMS) arrived on the scene,” they said adding, “IEMS transported four victims with injuries consistent of gunshot wound(s) to various hospitals in the Indianapolis area. Two other victims received minor injuries and were treated by IEMS at the scene and released. A fifth victim with injuries consistent with gunshot wounds sought medical attention in another county. Each person who was transported is believed to have non-life threatening injuries.”

But then came the heartbreaking part, “Officers located eight people that were later pronounced deceased. Four people were found in the parking lot outside of the FedEx building and an additional four people were located inside of the FedEx building.”

Response from leaders

Within hours of the incident senior city and state officials expressed shock and offered condolences to victims’ families. Mayor Joe Hogsett tweeted:

Governor Eric Holcombe too tweeted his condolences and also ordered flags to be flown half-mast till sunset:

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed about the developments. Later in the day Vice President Harris briefly addressed the media and said, “There is no question this violence must end and we are thinking of the families that lost their loved ones.”

President Biden tweeted:

He also issued a statement saying, “Last night and into the morning in Indianapolis, yet again families had to wait to hear word about the fate of their loved ones. What a cruel wait and fate that has become too normal and happens every day somewhere in our nation. Gun violence is an epidemic in America. But we should not accept it. We must act.”

All victims were FedEx employees and the delivery services company mourned their loss:

Identity of victims

This evening police released the identity of victims after first duly informing their next of kin:

*Feature image: Public domain representational image by Kat Wilcox via Wikimedia Commons.