Tue, Jul 08, 2003
Employee-Gunman Kills Five,
Self
At the Lockheed Martin plant in Meridian (MS), Tuesday morning,
a gunman, identified only as as a local employee of Lockheed
Martin, went to work with a shotgun and a rifle, according to
Lauderdale County Sheriff Billy Sollie.
Eight are counted as wounded; at least six, including the
gunman, are dead.
Reports say the shooter strolled through the plant, shooting as
he went along, in no apparent pattern, picking his targets in a
seemingly-random way.
The plant manufactures subassemblies for the C-130 Hercules and
F-22 Raptor.
Friends and business associates of the employee are being
interviewed to try to determine the motive for the killing spree;
counselors are on-site, working with other employees.
Meridian police, Lauderdale County sheriffs, a locally-based
SWAT team, and several fire department units attended the
matter.
Lockheed Martin's Initial Statement:
A Lockheed Martin employee at the company's Meridian, Miss.,
facility entered the plant today at approximately 10 a.m. Central
Time with a gun and shot an unknown number of people before taking
his own life. At least five of the victims are believed to be dead
and a number of people are wounded. Lockheed Martin officials are
working with local law enforcement officials who are on the scene.
Names of the dead and wounded are being withheld pending
notification of next of kin.
We are shocked and saddened by this tragedy and express our
deepest sympathies to the families. Additional details will be
released as soon as they are available.
More News
Abeam An aircraft is “abeam” a fix, point, or object when that fix, point, or object is approximately 90 degrees to the right or left of the aircraft track. Abeam indic>[...]
Aero Linx: The Air Charter Safety Alliance The group, called the Air Charter Safety Alliance, will raise awareness of illegal charter flights among potential customers, charter bro>[...]
“For months, ALPA has been sounding the alarm on the ongoing efforts by some aircraft manufacturers to remove pilots from the flight deck and replace them with automation. To>[...]
Also: uAvionix AV-Link, Does Simming Make Better Pilots?, World Games, AMA National Fun Fly Czech sportplane manufacturer Direct Fly has finished delivering its 200th ALTO NG, the >[...]
“The legislation now includes a task force with industry representation ensuring that we have a seat at the table and our voice will be heard as conversations about the futur>[...]