Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Brandon Scott Hole: Police had seized gun from former FedEx employee and FBI was warned of ‘suicide by cop’

At least 100 people at the facility at the time of the shooting on Thursday night

Justin Vallejo
New York
Friday 16 April 2021 17:36 EDT
Comments
INDIANA-TIROTEO
INDIANA-TIROTEO (AP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Authorities had previously questioned Brandon Scott Hole and seized a weapon while the FBI was warned he might "suicide by cop", according to multiple reports.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s deputy chief of criminal investigations Craig McCartt confirmed at a Friday afternoon press conference that authorities seized a gun from the suspected shooter in 2020.

The FBI's special agent in charge, Paul Keenan, separately confirmed that agents questioned the 19-year-old after his mother warned her son might "suicide by cop", according to Associated Press.

While they questioned Mr Hole about items found in his bedroom, no crime was identified and the FBI did not elaborate on what those items were.

Mr McCartt said police found Mr Hole, dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, inside the FedEx building where he last worked in the fall of 2020.

"FedEx officials have confirmed that Mr Hole was a former employee of the facility," he said.

After arriving at the facility on Thursday night, Mr Hole got out of his car and quickly began shooting randomly with a rifle, Mr McCartt said.

Four people were killed outside and another four inside, with several more injured. Police had still not notified all the victims' families on Friday.

"There were at least 100 people in the facility at the time of the incident, many were changing shifts and were on their dinner break," Mr McCartt said.

Search warrants have been executed at "multiple locations" connected to Mr Hole, who could not say whether the rifle used in the mass shooting was obtained legally or illegally.

Initial investigations showed there were no arguments or interactions before Mr Hole began shooting randomly for about two minutes, Mr McCartt said.

“There was no confrontation with anyone that was there, there was no disturbance, no argument, he just appeared to randomly start shooting and that began in the parking lot. And then he did go into the building, into the facility for a brief period of time," he said.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in