Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Sacked ex-employee goes on shooting spree

Matt Williams,Pa
Saturday 07 November 2009 08:04 EST
Comments

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.

A sacked employee went on a shooting spree in a US office complex, killing one person and injuring five others before being caught by police.

The suspect, named as 40-year-old Jason Rodriguez, terrorised workers inside the Gateway Centre in downtown Orlando, Florida, yesterday with many barricading themselves behind closed doors during the rampage.

He fled after the shootings, but was eventually apprehended by an armed response team at his mother's home, officials said.

Authorities went to the residence after being alerted to his whereabouts by a phone call. He gave himself up without incident, officials said.

It put an end to the search for the gunman who, until his arrest, was feared to be still at large inside the office block.

Rodriguez worked at the centre until two years ago, but the firm, Reynolds, Smith & Hills, let him go after performance-related issues.

As well as the one fatality and five injuries, a further person was treated for chest pains in relation to the incident.

The attack came just one day after 13 people were killed during a shooting spree at a US military base in Texas.

As he was led into a police station after his arrest, reporters asked Rodriguez why he turned his gun on former colleagues he had not worked with for over two years.

"They left me to rot," the suspect replied before being taken inside for questioning.

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