US truck driver's gun rampage ends with nine dead (video)
Accused of stealing, 34-year-old shoots eight co-workers then turns gun on himself
A truck driver due to be sacked by the US beer distribution firm he worked for refused to leave the warehouse and shot dead eight co-workers before turning the gun on himself.
Omar Thornton, 34, was due to meet company and union officials at Hartford Distributors, in Manchester, Connecticut, over allegations that he had stolen beer from the beverage wholesaler.
After the meeting, Thornton suddenly produced a gun and began randomly firing at co-workers as they fled into woods or sought refuge under furniture.
The firm's Chief Operating Officer, Steve Hollander, described Thornton as coolly pulling out a gun after the meeting and opening fire.
"He shot at me twice and hit me a couple times," said Hollander.
"He was cool and calm. He didn’t yell. He was cold as ice. He didn’t protest when we were meeting with him to show him the video of him stealing. He didn’t contest it. He didn’t complain. He didn’t argue. He didn’t admit or deny anything. He just agreed to resign. And then he just unexplainably pulled out his gun and started blasting."
Reports said Thornton ran through the warehouse and loading dock area, where up to 40 people were loading cases of beer for morning deliveries, shooting some and letting others live — such as a handicapped woman helplessly sitting at her desk, pleading for her life.
The eight dead included fellow drivers and union representatives.
Hollander suffered two gunshot wounds and was treated and released at Hartford Hospital. Another, unidentified, employee remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit.
John Hollis, a legislative liaison for the Teamsters union, said he had been told that Thornton was caught on video in the warehouse stealing beer.
To watch video coverage from AP, click here
Omar Thornton, 34, was due to meet company and union officials at Hartford Distributors, in Manchester, Connecticut, over allegations that he had stolen beer from the beverage wholesaler.
After the meeting, Thornton suddenly produced a gun and began randomly firing at co-workers as they fled into woods or sought refuge under furniture.
The firm's Chief Operating Officer, Steve Hollander, described Thornton as coolly pulling out a gun after the meeting and opening fire.
"He shot at me twice and hit me a couple times," said Hollander.
"He was cool and calm. He didn’t yell. He was cold as ice. He didn’t protest when we were meeting with him to show him the video of him stealing. He didn’t contest it. He didn’t complain. He didn’t argue. He didn’t admit or deny anything. He just agreed to resign. And then he just unexplainably pulled out his gun and started blasting."
Reports said Thornton ran through the warehouse and loading dock area, where up to 40 people were loading cases of beer for morning deliveries, shooting some and letting others live — such as a handicapped woman helplessly sitting at her desk, pleading for her life.
The eight dead included fellow drivers and union representatives.
Hollander suffered two gunshot wounds and was treated and released at Hartford Hospital. Another, unidentified, employee remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit.
John Hollis, a legislative liaison for the Teamsters union, said he had been told that Thornton was caught on video in the warehouse stealing beer.
To watch video coverage from AP, click here
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