Florida - A man fired from his warehouse job in
April returned to his old workplace near Orlando on Monday and
fatally shot five people before killing himself, Orange County
Sheriff Jerry Demings said.
The 45-year-old suspect had a history of misdemeanor
criminal offences but was not linked to any terror
organisations, Demings said at a press briefing.
"He was a disgruntled employee that came back to this
business this morning," said Demings.
The unidentified assailant arrived at the company that makes
accessories for recreational vehicles and campers at about 8am armed with a handgun and a knife, Demings
said.
He did not use the knife but "shot five innocent people and
then turned the gun on himself and killed himself," the sheriff
said, adding seven people had survived.
Almost a year ago, on June 12, 2016, 49 people were killed
at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, the deadliest mass shooting
in modern U.S. history. At least 58 people were also injured.
WFTV, a local television station, interviewed a woman who
said her sister was in a washroom when she "heard a bang" in the
workplace. She emerged and saw someone on the floor.
"My boss is dead," the worker told her sister during a
cellphone call.
The woman told reporters her sister was not shot but
received medical attention for shock. Neither woman was
identified.
“Over the past year, the Orlando community has been
challenged like never before," Florida Governor Rick Scott said
in a statement. "I ask all Floridians to pray for the families
impacted by this senseless act of violence."