Orlando Workplace Shooting: 6 Killed, Including Suspected Gunman

ORLANDO, FL — Five workers are dead after a lone gunman, who authorities described as a disgruntled former employee, opened fire at Fiamma Inc. in Orlando Monday morning. According to Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings, the John Robert Neumann Jr. walked into the business around 8 a.m. armed with a handgun and knife.

Neumann, 45, an Army veteran discharged in 1999, then proceeded to shoot five former co-workers before shooting himself.

"Most of the victims were shot in the head, some were shot multiple times," Demings said Monday afternoon. "He had a plan of action and he executed it today."

Three men and a woman were found dead at the scene when deputies arrived around 8:05 a.m. A fifth victim died at a local hospital, Demings reported during a Monday morning press conference.

Seven surviving employees were found, Demings said. An eighth person, a vendor, also survived. One of the surviving employees, a woman, told detectives Neumann pointed the gun at her and told her to get out of the building.

Demings identified four of the five victims during the press conference. Those identified so far are Robert Snyder, 69, Brenda Motanez-Crespo, 44, Kevin Clark, 53, and Jeffrey Roberts, 57.

"It's a sad day for us once again here in Orange County," Demings said.

While the shooting remains under investigation, Demings said the man responsible does not appear to have any ties to subversive or terrorist organizations, and he did not know of any specific threats to the business. He also said there is no indication that the shooter used the knife he had in possession.

"(It is) likely a workplace violence incident," Demings said.

Demings said the shooter was fired in April. Authorities said they did not have an extensive record of responding to the business, however about three years ago, they responded to a workplace violence incident at the business where the suspected gunman allegedly battered another employee. Demings said the suspect had a minor criminal history that included charges like possession of marijuana.

Fiamma, located at 2427 Forsyth Road, makes accessories for RVs.

Authorities have set up a family unification area at Full Sail University, 3535 N. Forsyth Road. A hotline has also been established for concerned family members.

Speaking at the press conference, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs said that it was important for citizens not to become complacent even though the community in Florida and communities across the country have seen tragedies like this play out before.

Gov. Rick Scott released a statement following the Monday morning shooting.

“Over the past year, the Orlando community has been challenged like never before," Scott said. "I have been briefed by our law enforcement officials on this tragic incident and Ann and I are praying for the families who lost loved ones today. I ask all Floridians to pray for the families impacted by this senseless act of violence."

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson also issued a statement in the wake of Monday's shooting. "The city of Orlando, which is still healing from the Pulse massacre, has seen too much violence this past year," Nelson said. "We must do more to address mental health issues in this country.”

The shooting comes as the one-year anniversary of the Pulse nightclub massacre nears. The worst mass shooting in modern American history unfolded as Omar Mateen, 29, walked into the packed establishment in the early morning hours of June 12, 2016, and opened fire. A total of 49 people were killed and 53 injured before Mateen was shot and killed by law enforcement.

The federal government has described Mateen’s assault on the nightclub as an act of terror. Mateen placed 911 calls during the attack pledging his support of the Islamic State.

This is a developing story. Refresh the page for updates as they become available.

Image: Authorities confer near the scene of a shooting where they said there were multiple fatalities in an industrial area near Orlando, Fla., Monday, June 5. The Orange County Sheriff's Office said on its official Twitter account that the situation has been contained. (AP Photo/John Raoux)