ALBERTVILLE, Ala. — Two people are dead and two are injured after a workplace shooting at the Mueller Co. plant in Albertville, AL. The plant is located in an industrial area of Albertville that's also home to Tyson Foods and Fastenal plants. Mueller and Co. makes fire hydrants and other water distribution and natural gas distribution equipment.
The shooter has been identified by law enforcement as 34-year-old Andreas Deon Horton of DeKalb County. Police say Horton had a hand gun and fired multiple rounds at other employees. Four people in total were hit; two were fatally wounded at the scene and two were taken to hospitals for treatment. Horton left the scene in a maroon Jeep Cherokee.
The dead are identified as Michael Lee Dobbins of Gaither Road, Boaz, and David Lee Horton of Williams Street, Boaz. WZDX is not posting the identity of the other two victims.
Shortly after 6:00 a.m., a Guntersville police officer noticed the vehicle parked near the Guntersville City Cemetery. Multiple officers responded to the scene to assist and Horton was discovered to be dead with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Multiple weapons were recovered from the vehicle.
No motive has been given at this time. All five were employees of the Mueller Co. plant.
Updates to Mueller Co. shooting in Albertville:
UPDATE 1:28 p.m.: The Albertville Police Department issued the following statement regarding the shooting:
"This morning around 2:30 a.m. a call was received at the Albertville Police Department of a shooting at Mueller Company. Officers from the Albertville Police Department and also officers from the Boaz Police Department responded to the scene. Upon the officer’s arrival, 4 victims were located and the apparent shooter had fled the scene in a maroon Jeep Grand Cherokee. Information was broadcast to surrounding agencies concerning the incident. As the investigation unfolded, it was determined that the shooter, Andreas Deon Horton (34-years-old) of County Road 25 in DeKalb County, an employee of Mueller Company presented a handgun and fired an unknown number of rounds at fellow employees. During the gunfire, Michael Lee Dobbins of Gaither Road, Boaz, and David Lee Horton of Williams Street, Boaz, were fatally wounded during the incident. [Two other victims were injured in the incident]. [The two] were transported to Marshall County Medical Center South for treatment and later transferred to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
"Officers immediately began a search for Horton and through investigation and police work discovered that Horton was still traveling in the maroon Jeep Grand Cherokee and was possibly in the downtown area of Guntersville. Shortly before 6 a.m., a Guntersville Police Officer was searching the area and discovered the Jeep on Carlisle Avenue near the Guntersville City Cemetery. Other officers responded to the scene to assist and the suspect was discovered to be dead with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound and multiple weapons were recovered from the vehicle.
"At this time, officers are still at the shooting scene at Mueller Company processing for any additional evidence. Currently, officers are also still working toward a motive as to why the shooting occurred, which will hopefully be discovered in the coming days. Guntersville police and the Marshall County District Attorney’s Office, along with a detective from the Albertville Police Department, handled the scene where the suspect was located in Guntersville.
"I would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to the Mueller Company in the coming days. They have been a pillar and a great community partner in Marshall County for many years.
"I would also like to extend thanks for assistance during the response and investigation to the incident to many local law enforcement agencies."
Additionally, Mueller Water Products issued the following statement:
"Mueller Water Products is shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific tragedy that occurred early this morning at our Albertville, Alabama, facility. Our hearts are with the victims and their loved ones, the Albertville Community and the entire Mueller family during this extremely difficult time. Our entire focus is on the health and wellbeing of our colleagues and we are committed to providing any and all support to them and their families. We continue to work closely with law enforcement, with whom we share our deepest gratitude for their support. We will provide updates as we learn more."
Albertville Mayor Tracy Honea posted on the city's Facebook page:
"Our hearts are broken over the senseless tragedy that has taken place at Mueller Company in Albertville. Mueller has been an integral part of the lifeblood and workforce of this city for just shy of 50 years. Thanks to them, Albertville is not only, the "Heart of Sand Mountain," but is also proudly known as, the "Fire Hydrant Capital of the World." They are dedicated, important partners of this community and we hurt with them today. On behalf of myself, our administration and staff of the City of Albertville, I would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, well wishes to those injured, and our thoughts and prayers to the entire Mueller team, both here in Albertville, across the United States, and abroad. I'd also like to thank our Chief of Police, Jamie Smith, the Albertville, Alabama Police Department, Albertville Fire & Rescue, and all assisting agencies for their help today, and for the outstanding work they do day in and day out for our city and Marshall County, alike. They are all too often unsung heroes and we ask that you remember them during this time, as well."
UPDATE 9:05 a.m.: Police say the suspected shooter and vehicle were found dead in Guntersville from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound and that there is no danger to the public.
-----------
Two people are dead and two are injured after a workplace shooting at the Mueller Co. plant in Albertville, AL. The plant is located in an industrial area of Albertville that's also home to Tyson Foods and Fastenal plants. Mueller and Co. makes fire hydrants and other water distribution and natural gas distribution equipment.
The suspected shooter has been located and businesses in the industrial park are safe to conduct business as normal. Multiple law enforcement agencies are involved in the investigation.
No one involved in the incident has yet been identified.
Albertville police chief Jamie Smith shared the following:
It is with a heavy heart that I report to you a shooting that occurred early this morning. The incident happened around 2:30am this morning at Mueller located at 956 Industrial Blvd. in Albertville.
For an unknown reason an employee of the industry began firing a weapon at fellow employees. During the shooting, 2 employees were fatally wounded and 2 more were injured. The gunman then left the scene in a vehicle. The 2 injured persons were transported to Marshall Medical Center South for treatment. At this time Detectives are processing the scene and information is being gathered about the identity of the shooter and his possible whereabouts. Surrounding agencies responded to the scene and everything humanly possible is being done at this time to locate the person responsible. No names are being released at this time pending notification of family of those involved.
WZDX will bring you more on this developing story as it becomes available.
RELATED: Inmate charged with attempted murder after allegedly attacking corrections officer with scissors