8 killed in Indianapolis shooting

WASHINGTON (AFP) - At least eight people were killed in a shooting in the US city of Indianapolis by a gunman who is believed to have then killed himself, police said.

The victims were all found at a Fedex facility near the international airport where the shooting took place late Thursday, police spokeswoman Genae Cook told a news conference, adding several others had been taken to hospital.

One man who said he works at the plant told local broadcaster WISH-TV he saw the gunman start shooting and heard more than 10 gunshots.

“I saw a man with a sub-machine gun of some sort, an automatic rifle, and he was firing in the open. I immediately ducked down and got scared,” Jeremiah Miller said.

Cook told reporters officers had responded to an “active shooter incident,” adding they believe the gunman died by suicide.

She said authorities judged there was no longer an immediate threat to public safety.

A Fedex spokesperson confirmed to AFP that its facility was the scene of the shooting, and said the company was cooperating with authorities.

“We are aware of the tragic shooting at our ground facility near the Indianapolis airport,” the company said in a statement.

“Safety is our top priority, and our thoughts are with all those who are affected.”

The facility for the delivery company is reported to employ more than 4,000 people.

Timothy Boillat, another employee at the facility, told WISH-TV that he saw around 30 police cars arriving at the scene as he witnessed the shooting unfold.

“After hearing the shootings, I did see a body on the floor,” he said.

“Luckily, I was far enough away to where he [the shooter] didn’t see me.”