Man opens fire at MO manufacturing plant / Standoff in St. Louis (merged)

[Ukraine Train]

Man opens fire at MO manufacturing plant

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041021/ap_on_re_us/plant_shooting

By JIM SUHR, Associated Press Writer

ST. LOUIS - A man walked into a conveyor belt factory and opened fire Thursday afternoon while workers were changing shifts, at one point reloading his shotgun in a parking lot and re-entering the building, witnesses said.



It was not immediately clear whether anyone was hurt. In the hours after the shooting, heavily armed police had cordoned off several blocks around the plant, shooing away reporters and the curious.

Police declined comment at the scene and did not immediately return telephone calls seeking details.

One worker at Belt Service Corp. — located in an industrial area west of St. Louis, near the training facility of the St. Louis Rams — told The Associated Press that he had just begun shift when he heard a gunshot.

"Boom! Then instantaneously, I heard another," said Craig Kopplin, 33.

Kopplin said he saw the gunman only from behind and did not recognize him: "I heard the two shots and ran in the opposite direction."

Another worker, Kevin Tippit, said he heard at least five gunshots, with the suspect firing at people at close range. Tippit, 41, also bolted and sought shelter in a neighboring building's dock area.

"I was looking through the windows, and the guy came out, reloaded his gun and went right back in," he said. "It's craziness, craziness."

 

[StLGlocker]

Standoff in St. Louis

Link to story: http://makeashorterlink.com/?V28B12699

Thankfully only one guy wounded and he's doing ok at the hospital. The gunman is the only person still inside the office building, and police are trying to talk to him.

Earth City is an industrial/office park in North St. Louis County.

Shooting reported at Earth City plant
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
10/21/2004

Police surrounded a conveyor belt manufacturing plant in Earth City today after a former employee armed with a shotgun entered the building and began shooting.

At least one worker was believed to be shot during the 3 p.m. rampage, said Beltservice Corp. chairman Dick Engelsmann.

The injured worker was removed from the building about 5 p.m. and taken to a local hospital, said Pattonsville Fire Protection District Chief Steve Arnold.

Police were trying to convince the gunman to surrender, Arnold added.

100 police officers were at the scene of the shooting, said Mason Keller of the St. Louis County Police Department.

Employees at Beltservice Corp., 4143 Rider Trail North, said at least one of their co-workers was shot in the leg. The gunman, a fired former employee, returned to his van to get more ammunition at one point and returned to the building.

Witnesses reported hearing seven to 10 shots.

Engelsmann said 110 employees were in the building at the time of the shooting, and all were evacuated. He said the gunman left the company a year ago. He believes he was fired but could not say why.

"We just want to cooperate with police and do what we can to get this situation in hand," Engelsmann said.

Workers of the business told The Associated Press that the shooting happened near the company's special-fabrication department, not far from a large hallway where a time clock sets.

Craig Kopplin, 33, said he had just begun his shift there when he heard a gunshot blast nearby.

"Boom! Then instantaneously, I heard another," he said.

Kopplin, a one-year worker at the plant, said he saw the gunman only from behind and did not recognize him.

"I heard the two shots and ran in the opposite direction," Kopplin said.

Kevin Tippit, a four-month worker at the company in another department, said he was visiting Kopplin's area when he heard the volley of at least five gunshots, with the suspect firing at people at close range.

Tippit, 41, also bolted and sought shelter in a neighboring building's dock area.

"I was looking through the windows, and the guy came out, reloaded his gun and went right back in," he said. "It's craziness, craziness."

Susan Pingle, who works for Briem Engineering across the street, told KSDK-TV in St. Louis that three Beltservice employee ran to her office and reported shots being fired.

"We all took cover behind our desks, and 40 cop cars pulled up," she said. "I guess they were going in to try and find the guy."

The Associated Press contributed information for this story.

 

[Kamicosmos]

Good thing St Louis City and County won't let their citizens CCW.


Think of the carnage that would commence! The horror....the horror...

 

[Kamicosmos]

Another link to the story right above this one.


As I replied to that one.... Good thing St Louis isn't allowing it's citizens to CCW.


sheesh.

 

[Shalako]

Interesting situation. I am asking myself if, in this instance, I would go out to the parking lot and get my truck gun to engage the assailant. That's considering the cops were no where to be seen. It sounds like a good shot with good cover could remedy the problem. Then there is "Problem #2" as El T so eloquently reminds us.

I still don't know. I'd probably chance a shot at the guy....

This armchair stuff is harder than it looks.

 

[Cacique500]

I wonder if the company had a 'No Firearms' policy.

I work in a 'No Firearms' plant but if the folks get a chance to get out to the parking lot there's gonna be a whole lotta armed individuals to deal with...

 

[Freedomv]

I would be very hesitant to retrieve my weapon from my car/truck to go after the man as I could/would be mistaken as the perpertrator and shot by the reponding law officers.

Of course a lot would depend on the layout of the area and other circimstances.
Vern

 

[TheEgg]

"I heard the two shots and ran in the opposite direction."

This guy got it right!