By Gary Lloyd
BIRMINGHAM — The alleged shooter at the UPS Customer Center in Birmingham is believed to be a 45-year-old white man from Argo, sources said.
Authorities from several agencies were in an Argo-area neighborhood around noon, where the alleged shooter lives.
Three people were killed in the Tuesday shooting at the UPS Customer Center in the Inglenook community in north Birmingham.
The shooter was one of the three victims.
One employee in uniform was confirmed dead, as well as two other victims, Birmingham police Lt. Sean Edwards told www.myfoxal.com. Edwards confirmed there was an active shooter inside the facility on Tuesday morning.
Edwards said some of the center’s employees were “distraught.”
“It’s pretty traumatic for them,” he said.
The UPS Customer Center is in the 4600 block of Inglenook Lane off East Lake Boulevard near the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport.
UPS issued a statement on its website Tuesday: “UPS can verify that there has been a shooting incident at a UPS facility outside Birmingham, AL, at approximately 9:40 am Central Time. Police were contacted, and UPS is offering full cooperation to verify circumstances and personnel on site.”
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley issued a statement about the shooting:
“Dianne and I are saddened to learn about the deadly shooting at the UPS Center in Birmingham. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and co-workers of those who died this morning,” Bentley said. “I was briefed on the active shooter situation by the Alabama Secretary of Law Enforcement just moments after it occurred. I commend the quick and efficient response of Birmingham Chief A.C. Roper and his staff at the Birmingham Police Department. Today’s incident is a reminder of the importance of law enforcement training to respond to active shooters.
“State law enforcement resources are available and ready to assist if needed as investigators work to determine a cause in this deadly shooting.”
Birmingham Mayor William Bell also issued a statement.
“We are deeply saddened by today’s events and offer our condolences to the families and employees impacted by today’s tragedy,” Bell said. “Chief Roper and the BPD have our full support as we investigate and get answers for all involved.”
1:55 p.m. UPDATE: UPS has provided an updated statement:
“UPS can verify that a shooting occurred at a UPS facility outside Birmingham, Ala., at 9:21 a.m. CT. We can confirm that two UPS employees and a recently terminated employee are dead. We are not confirming the identities pending notification of their families by authorities.
“The safety of our employees is our primary focus, and UPS is cooperating fully with law enforcement.
“We are deeply saddened by this event, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of those who lost their lives today.
“We recognize that this process is painful for family and friends, so we ask for your patience and understanding as we work with the authorities.
“Our focus now is on assisting the families of the victims, as well as the employees who work in this facility. We have reached out to the families and are providing counseling and support to employees during this difficult time.”
U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance said the thoughts and prayers of the U.S. Attorney’s Office are with UPS employees and the families of those who died today in a shooting at the company’s customer service center and warehouse in Inglenook.
“It is a tragedy that, too often, someone decides to settle a workplace dispute with a gun and innocent people suffer and die,” Vance said.
U.S. Attorney Vance encourages anyone who is aware of a threat of violence in a workplace or school to contact the local police department, sheriff or federal law enforcement.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.
