Orlando gunman kills five at former employer’s office

A DISGRUNTLED former employee was behind a multiple shooting in Orlando, Florida, yesterday, killing five people before turning his handgun on himself, according to local police.

Jerry Demings, Sheriff of Orange County, said the 45-year-old man had been fired from his job in April and had previously been involved in a violent incident with a colleague.

He returned to his former employers, Fiamma, a business that makes awnings for campers, on Monday morning with a handgun and a knife.

Mr Demings said officers responding to an emergency call arrived shortly after eight o’clock in the morning.

“When they arrived there they found multiple individuals that had been shot,” he said.

“Three male victims were dead at the time. One woman was dead.”

A fifth person subsequently died in hospital, he added.

He said the suspect had a string of previous convictions, for marijuana possession, driving under the influence and battery.

“He was a disgruntled employee that came back to this business this morning,” Mr Demings said.

“It appears this incident has nothing to do with any global terror activities.”

Seven survivors were being interviewed by officers.

The attack happened almost a year after the city – a popular hub of Florida’s tourist industry – was the scene of a shooting in a gay nightclub that left 49 people dead and dozens more wounded.

Rick Scott, governor of Florida, said he and his wife were praying for those affected.

“Over the past year, the Orlando community has been challenged like never before,” he said.

“I have been briefed by our law enforcement officials on this tragic incident and Ann and I are praying for the families who lost loved ones today. I ask all Floridians to pray for the families impacted by this senseless act of violence.”