Suspect in FedEx shooting used two assault rifles he bought legally: police

The suspect in a mass shooting at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis, Ind., used two assault rifles during the attack that he purchased legally, police said Saturday.

Brandon Scott Hole, 19, allegedly open fire on a Fedex facility late Thursday evening, resulting in the deaths of eight people. He was identified as the suspect by Friday afternoon.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department confirmed on Twitter that Hole was “witnessed using assault rifles in the assault.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) traced the two weapons, and found that Hole legally purchased them in July and September of 2020.

UPDATE-During Thursday’s incident, the suspect, Brandon Hole, was witnessed using assault rifles in the assault. ATF conducted a trace on the two weapons. IMPD learned that Brandon Hole purchased the rifles legally in July and September of 2020.

— IMPD (@IMPDnews) April 18, 2021

The update comes after the FBI revealed that Hole’s mother in March of 2020 warned that her son might try to commit “suicide by cop.”

The Indianapolis Metro Police Department last year placed Hole “on an immediate detention mental health temporary hold” after officials received the warning, the FBI said. 

The FBI investigated after a shotgun was uncovered in Hole’s bedroom, which was not returned to him following interviews. 

Indianapolis Police Chief Randal Taylor told The New York Times that Hole’s ability to legally purchase a gun despite his mother’s warning meant that he was not subjected to the state’s “red flag” law, which prohibits those deemed a risk by a judge from possessing a firearm. 

Hole, a former FedEx employee, drove into the parking lot of the facility and began opening fire. He then went inside the building, where he shot himself before officers arrived, according to police. 

Deputy Police Chief Craig McCartt said Friday that about 100 employees were present at the facility during the shooting. 

The victims were identified as 32-year-old Matthew 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.

Four members of the Sikh community were killed, prompting the Sikh Coalition to call for an investigation into whether racial bias played a role in the attack.

Hole’s family issued a statement on Saturday apologizing for the “pain and hurt” the victims’ families feel. 

The shooting in Indianapolis came after a mass shooting in Boulder, Colo., left ten dead in March.

The Gun Violence Archive on Friday recorded 45 shootings in the U.S. in the past month alone, and 147 overall this year.

President Biden has previously called on Congress to pass gun control legislation, including banning assault-style weapons. Earlier this month, he unveiled multiple executive actions addressing the issue. 

Updated 11:19 p.m.