Two people killed in factory shooting after worker opens fire

A 34-year-old fire hydrant factory worker has opened fire at his workplace in Albertville, Alabama, killing two people and wounding two others before apparently taking his own life, US police say.

The suspect, whom police identified as Andreas Horton, used a handgun to start shooting at his fellow employees about 2.30am (local time) while he was working a shift at the Mueller Co, which makes fire hydrants, Albertville Police Chief Jamie Smith told reporters on Tuesday.

Police identified the victims as Michael Lee Dobbins and David Lee Horton.

Police officers converse at the scene where multiple people were killed and others wounded in a shooting at a Mueller Co. fire hydrant plant, Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Albertville, Alabama
Multiple people were killed and others wounded in a shooting at a Mueller Co. fire hydrant plant on Tuesday in Albertville, Alabama. Source: AP/Vasha Hunt

Two wounded employees were transported to a nearby hospital and then to a hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where their condition was not immediately known, Chief Smith said.

The police chief said they were not aware of any relation between the shooter and David Lee Horton.

Chief Smith said the suspect fled the scene in a maroon Jeep and authorities found him just before 6am in Guntersville, about 24 kilometres from Albertville, a city of 21,000 people in northeast Alabama.

The suspect was found dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted wound and multiple weapons were recovered from inside his vehicle, Chief Smith said.

"At this time officers are still at the shooting scene at the Mueller Company processing for any additional evidence," he said, adding authorities are still seeking a motive.

In a statement seen by local TV station WHNT, Mueller Co said it was "shocked and deeply saddened" by the shooting.

"Our hearts are with the victims and their loved ones, the Albertville community and the entire Mueller family during this extremely difficult time," the company said.

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