Georgia FedEx Gunman Used Shotgun to Injure Six, Shoot Himself, Police Said

April 29, 2014— -- An employee armed with a shotgun injured six people at a FedEx warehouse in Georgia early this morning before he ended the carnage by shooting himself, police said.

Three of the injured are listed in critical condition and two were in surgery, a hospital said. Two of the injuries were described as "life threatening."

The shooting erupted at 5:54 a.m. at a warehouse 1675 Airport Road, Kennesaw, near the Cobb County Airport, said police spokesman Sgt. Dana Pierce. He said the police were alerted by a numerous 911 calls that there was an active shooter in the building.

More than 100 police and federal officers arrived at the sprawling FedEx hub and surrounded the building, but shortly before 9 a.m. police said the man suspected of carrying out the shooting was dead.

Active Shooter Incidents Have Spiked in Recent Years

The alleged gunman was described only as a FedEx employee who as a package handler, Pierce said. "As far as I know, he worked at this location," the officer said.

His body was found in the Bay Area of the warehouse and a weapon was found with him.

"When he was found we know that he had a shotgun. It was the only weapon he had at that time... He deceased from what we believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound," the sergeant said.

Police continued to carry out a sweep of the building "to make sure there are no secondary devices the shooter may have planted," Pierce said. He said the gunman's car and home would also be searched. He said police dogs were also being used in the search.

The six injured were taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital.

Two of the injured, a 28-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman were in surgery and their injuries were called life threatening, by a hospital spokesman. The man was on a ventilator, the hospital said.

A third person, a 22-year-old man, was also listed as critical condition.

The other victims included a man, 38, who was in stable condition, a woman, 42, who was treated and released, and a man, 19, who about to be released.

A doctor from the facility said the wounds "appear to be (the result of) shotgun blast projectiles."

Federal authorities joined a large number of Cobb County police at the warehouse. The federal officers included agents from Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms as well as FBI bomb technicians, officials said.

FedEx issued a statement saying, "FedEx is aware of the situation. Our primary concern is the safety and wellbeing of our team members, first responders and others affected. FedEx is cooperating with authorities."

Company spokesman Scott Fiedler later said, “We can confirm that an incident occurred early Tuesday morning at a FedEx Ground facility in Kennesaw, Georgia. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected, and with their families and friends... 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.”