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The Facts: What we know about the deadly mass shooting at an Indianapolis FedEx facility

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Posted at 4:01 AM, Apr 16, 2021
and last updated 2021-10-13 12:27:28-04

INDIANAPOLIS — Eight people are dead and five hospitalized after a mass shooting Thursday night at the FedEx Ground-Plainfield Operation Center in Indianapolis.

Officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department were called around 11 p.m. on the report of shots fired at the FedEx facility in the 8900 block of Mirabel Road in Indianapolis.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office 911 Call Center answered 97 calls about the shooting, according to IMPD.

One hundred-five IMPD officers responded to the scene. The number doesn't include the personnel from the department's chaplain's office, victim assistance units, Marion County Coroner's Office and the Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency.

"In total, the shooting lasted less than four minutes and was over prior to officer’s arrival," a press release from IMPD on Monday read.

IMPD Deputy Chief Craig McCartt said officers arrived to a "chaotic and active crime scene." McCartt said it appears the gunman began firing randomly outside the facility and then entered the building where he continued shooting.

Four people were found dead outside and another four were killed inside the FedEx facility, McCartt said. The suspect was also found dead after he died by suicide.

FEDEX GROUND INDY SHOOTING

They have been identified by the Marion County Coroner's Office and IMPD.

  1. Matthew R. Alexander, 32
  2. Samaria Blackwell, 19
  3. Amarjeet Johal, 66
  4. Jaswinder Kaur, 64
  5. Jaswinder Singh, 68
  6. Amarjit Sekhon, 48
  7. Karli Smith, 19
  8. John Weisert, 74

At least five people were hospitalized with injuries. Although complete details of their injuries have yet to be released, WRTV did speak with the family of Angela Hughley, who says she caught bullet fragments in her chest. She was shot while inside her car in the facility's parking lot.

Two other people were treated by EMS personnel at the scene for minor injuries and were released, according to IMPD.

There were at least 100 people in the FedEx facility at the time of the shooting, according to IMPD. Many of the people who were at the facility were changing shifts or on their dinner breaks.

MORE | These are their faces: The victims who died during the FedEx mass shooting in Indianapolis |

The suspect in the deadly mass shooting at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis has been identified as 19-year-old Brandon Scott Hole, according to IMPD.

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Driver's license photo of Brandon Scott Hole.

Hole was a former employee of the FedEx facility in Indianapolis, FedEx said. He worked for the company from August to October in 2020.

He was terminated in October when he failed to return to work, according to IMPD.

According to a 22020 IMPD incident report, a "pump-action shotgun" was seized from Hole, and never returned to him.

“In March 2020, the suspect’s mother contacted law enforcement to report he might try to commit 'suicide by cop,' FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Paul Keenan said in a statement. "The suspect was placed on an immediate detention mental health temporary hold by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. A shotgun was seized at his residence. Based on items observed in the suspect’s bedroom at that time, he was interviewed by the FBI in April 2020. No Racially Motivated Violent Extremism (RMVE) ideology was identified during the course of the assessment and no criminal violation was found. The shotgun was not returned to the suspect.”

About three months after being interviewed by the FBI and placed on temporary hold by IMPD, the 19-year-old legally purchased an HM Defense HM15F, IMPD confirms. About two months later, in September 2020, Hole bought his second assault rifle, a Ruger AR-556. And about seven months, on Thursday evening, Hole used those rifles at the FedEx ground facility.

IMPD didn't see any indications that the assault rifles found at the scene had any modifications.

Hole's family released a statement on Saturday, in which they said they tried to get the 19-year-old the "help he needed."

READ | Family of FedEx mass shooter speaks out |

At this time, detectives are sourcing his social media and electronics to help determine the motive — which has yet to be indicated.

"We were asked by IMPD to assist in the investigation and we will be looking for any federal nexus," an FBI spokesperson for the FBI told WRTV.

Here is a statement made by FedEx.

The last 24 hours have been some of the most difficult in the history of our company. As we all mourn the tragic loss of eight team members killed in the senseless violence at our FedEx Ground facility in Indianapolis, we want to again share our deepest condolences to the families, friends and co-workers of the victims. In this time of grief, we pay our most sincere respects to those lost on the evening of April 15.

  • Matthew R. Alexander, 32 years old
  • Samaria Blackwell, 19 years old
  • Amarjeet Johal, 66 years old
  • Jaswinder Kaur, 64 years old
  • Amarjit Sekhon, 48 years old
  • Jaswinder Singh, 68 years old
  • Karli Smith, 19 years old
  • John Weisert, 74 years old

We also continue to keep the five injured individuals in our thoughts and prayers. FedEx representatives on the ground in Indianapolis are staying in close contact with the families of all those affected.

We want to thank our exceptional security team and staff members, along with the many brave first responders and law enforcement officials in Indianapolis for their response and continued efforts to investigate this criminal act. Our team continues to work closely with law enforcement. We can confirm that the attack occurred in the parking lot and screening area of the facility where the suspect was previously employed for two months, from August to October 2020. We have no other information we can confirm at this time.

Violence of any kind has no place in our society or our workplace, and the safety of our team members will always be our top priority. We continue to provide grief counseling and resources to our team members across our operating companies in the Indianapolis area. For team members who are feeling uncomfortable or in need of help, please reach out to your manager or call the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP offers confidential assistance for stress, anxiety, and grief to you, your spouse and dependents, and all household members regardless of whether or not you have medical coverage through FedEx. The company provides this benefit at no cost to team members.

Many of you have asked how you can help, and we will share additional information in the coming days about how you can support the victims’ families and loved ones. Please take care of yourselves and one another during this difficult time and know that your leadership stands in solidarity with the entire FedEx workforce which is the heart of our company.

Frederick W. Smith, Chairman and CEO
Raj Subramaniam, President and COO
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