1 wounded, suspect dead after Amazon warehouse shooting in Arizona, police say
CHANDLER, Ariz. (3TV/CBS 5/Gray News) - Chandler police said a suspect is dead and another person is fighting for his life at a hospital after a shooting broke out at an Amazon warehouse in Chandler early Wednesday morning.
Initial reports of a shooting were reported at the Amazon Fulfillment Center just after 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Multiple law enforcement resources responded, and Chandler police officers later confirmed to Arizona’s Family that three people were involved in the shooting.
During an afternoon news conference, Sgt. Jason McClimans said that 29-year-old Jacob Murphy, who was not an employee, came onto the premises and allegedly shot a contracted worker.
That person, whose identity hasn’t been released, was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Immediately afterward, another employee reportedly shot at the shooter. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say it’s unclear if Murphy died from being shot by the third man or if he took his own life.
Details on the employee who fired back haven’t been released yet.
As of Wednesday evening, the person hospitalized was in stable condition.
According to McClimans, the incident wasn’t an active shooter event, and Murphy wasn’t targeting Amazon employees. Instead, personal issues between the three men led to the violence, McClimans said.
Both Amazon and the third man are cooperating with the investigation. The third man isn’t considered a suspect since he protected the second man, McClimans said.
Video from the scene showed an extensive police presence concentrated on at least one vehicle at the facility’s parking lot.
The Chandler facility operates as a pickup zone for contracted Amazon Flex drivers, who pick up packages to deliver the same or next day to customers.
In a statement, a company spokesperson confirmed that operations have been temporarily suspended, with employees and contractors sent home with pay.
“We’re deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence in our parking lot. We’re working closely with law enforcement as they investigate and are focused on supporting our team during this difficult time,” said Amazon spokesman Richard Rocha.
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