UPDATED TUESDAY 3:30 pm –– Roanoke Police say the man who shot four workers today at Freight Car America, killing one of them before taking his own life, is a former employee there who was terminated in March of this year after failing to show up for three consecutive days. Police Chief Tim Jones says Freight Car America saw no signs of trouble between that time and today’s shootings. The gunman is identified as 53-year-old Getachew Fekede, who came to Roanoke in 2011 from Kenya as part of an immigrant refugee program. Chief Jones says Fekede arrived at the plant this morning by bicycle, but it is unclear how he was able to get through the workplace perimeter. Police says he fired ten rounds in all. Two of the three workers he wounded remain hospitalized, and a third has been released after treatment. Police are not yet releasing the names of any shooting victims.
From Roanoke City Police at 10:00 am: Here is what we know for sure and have verified about the incident at Freight Car America:
– We received the call at approximately 6:08 am.
– Two individuals were confirmed dead in the facility. One is believed to be the suspect.
– Three other individuals were transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment of injuries related to this incident.
– None of the responding officers fired their weapons.
– There is zero indication of any further threats to the public at this time.
– A large law enforcement presence remains on scene conducting the investigation and performing a protective sweep of the entire facility.
Thanks to all of our law enforcement and public safety partners who are assisting us with this incident, including the Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office, the Roanoke County Police Department, Virginia State Police, the Norfolk Southern Police Department, and Roanoke Fire-EMS.
