The investigation continues into a mass shooting in Indianapolis late Thursday that claimed the lives of eight people.
Here's what we know:
- The shooting: Authorities responded to a call of shots fired at the FedEx Ground-Plainfield Operation Center in Indianapolis at about 11 p.m. local time Thursday. When they arrived "they found a very chaotic and active crime scene," said Craig McCartt, the deputy chief of criminal investigations for Indianapolis Police. "They found several victims injured and several victims deceased as well as the suspect, who was deceased, as well, of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound," he said. McCartt said detectives then arrived and started interviewing witnesses. The department's crime lab also responded and started processing the crime scene.
- The victims: Police released the names of the victims Friday night. They are 32-year-old Matthew R Alexander, 19-year-old Samaria Blackwell, 66-year-old Amarjeet Johal, 64-year-old Jaswinder Kaur, 68-year-old Jaswinder Singh, 48-year-old Amarjit Sekhon, 19-year-old Karlie Smith and 74-year-old John Weisert. A statement by IMPD says the next of kin has been notified by the Marion County Coroner's Office. The cause of death will be determined after autopsies are complete, according to the statement.
- The suspect: The gunman has been identified as 19-year-old Brandon Hole, McCartt said. "FedEx officials have confirmed that Mr. Hole was a former employee at the facility, and he was last employed in 2020," he said. The FBI Indianapolis office said in a statement that his mother told law enforcement in March 2020 that he might try to "commit suicide by cop." FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Paul Keenan said in a statement sent to CNN that Hole was placed on an immediate detention mental health temporary hold by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. He also said a shotgun was seized at Hole's residence.
- Biden speaks out: The President ordered flags at half-staff at the White House following the shooting. "Last night and into the morning in Indianapolis, yet again families had to wait to hear word about the fate of their loved ones. What a cruel wait and fate that has become too normal and happens every day somewhere in our nation," Biden said in a statement. "Gun violence is an epidemic in America. But we should not accept it. We must act."
- An American epidemic: There have been at least 147 mass shooting incidents in 2021 in the US, according to data from The Gun Violence Archive. The Gun Violence Archive (GVA), a non-profit based out of Washington DC, is an independent research group not affiliated with any advocacy organization, according to its website. Since March 16, there have been at least 45 mass shootings across the nation, CNN has reported.