MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Three people are dead Tuesday, including the shooter, after a postal worker killed two other employees at a sorting facility in Memphis, FBI officials said.
Memphis Police confirmed a shooting at 2801 Park Avenue, a postal facility at Park Avenue and Pendleton.
The gunfire rang out around noon with witnesses watching in disbelief as terrified workers ran from the building.
Everett Weddington, one of the witnesses and a peanut and produce vendor, said he flagged down nearby police officers.
“All of the sudden, I’m selling my produce, and some of the employees across the way were at the gate yelling ‘Help! Help! Help! Somebody got shot,'” Weddington said. “So she (one of the employees) ran across the street so we flagged down the fire department and the fire department couldn’t get in there so we tracked down the police and police couldn’t get in there so they had to wait on the feds.”
Family members at the scene identified one of the victims as James Wilson, a manager at the facility. Law enforcement has not officially confirmed any names.
Roxanne Rogers, a cousin of Wilson, also works for the post office but not at this location. She said she doesn’t know what the shooting was about or whether James was targeted.
“It’s a devastating shock!” Rogers said. “He was a humble person. He was a husband. He gonna be missed and I love him. I’m going to miss him!”
MPD said at 2:50 p.m. that there were no active threats and the scene is secured. Local police are assisting FBI and the US Postal Service at the scene.
The Postal Service said the incident is being investigated as workplace violence.
The Postal Service released a statement Tuesday:
“The Postal Service is saddened at the events that took place today in Memphis. Our thoughts are with the family members, friends and coworkers of the individuals involved. The Postal Service will be providing resources to all employees at the East Lamar Carrier Annex in the coming days and weeks.”
Congressman Steve Cohen addressed the incident on Twitter.
The East Lamar Carrier Annex does not have a retail space for customers, the postal service said. It is a sorting facility.
