9 Dead as Worker Storms Conn. Beer Distributor

'Disciplinary problem' Omar Thornton had been asked to resign
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 3, 2010 8:40 AM CDT
Updated Aug 3, 2010 11:57 AM CDT
8 Dead as Worker Storms Conn. Beer Distributor
Police are seen moving in on Hartford Distributors, Inc., in Manchester, Conn., Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010.   (AP Photo/Journal Inquirer, Jessica Hill)

A man opened fire in a Connecticut beer distributor this morning, killing at least nine people, including himself, according to the Hartford Courant. Omar Thornton, 34, was an employee who had been asked to resign because he was a "disciplinary problem," a union official said. Other people were wounded in the incident, including a member of the family that owns the business.

The shooting occurred at about 7:30, during a shift change. Anywhere from 35 to 70 people were inside. "They just went in there with guns blazing," said the company's marketing director. Black smoke was also seen coming from the building. It later turned white, then disappeared after firefighters arrived. An undetermined number of injured people are being treated at a local hospital. The bomb squad was summoned to check Thornton's car.
(More Connecticut stories.)

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