The man who killed eight people at an Indianapolis FedEx facility was identified Friday as 19-year-old former employee Brandon Scott Hole — who authorities said was questioned last year by the FBI.
Hole’s mother had called police in 2020 saying she was worried he might try to commit suicide by cop, said Paul Keenan, special agent in charge at the FBI’s Indianapolis field office.
According to a police report, Hole was arrested on March 3, 2020, when police “seized shotgun from dangerous person,” local station WTHR-TV reported.
“Behavioral health unit initiated immediate detention,” according to the report.
Hole had bought the shotgun shortly before he was arrested and taken to the hospital, the report said.
A search of Hole’s bedroom after his arrest turned up some items that prompted federal agents to question him, Keenan said without elaborating on what was found.
But the FBI eventually determined no that crime had been committed, nor that Hole had been talking about any racially motivated idology. He was not given back the shotgun, authorities said.
Officials said the killer was last employed by FedEx in 2020. The company confirmed his previous employment.
Authorities are still scrambling to figure out why Hole opened fire with a rifle at the plant near the Indianapolis International Airport, killing eight and wounding five others.
“I wish we can answer that,” Deputy Chief Craig McCartt said when asked about the motive.
At a press conference Friday afternoon, authorities said Hole also had a prior arrest in 2013. It was not clear what for.
Federal agents on Friday were seen hauling evidence including a large box and computer equipment from Hole’s home in a neighborhood on the east side of Indianapolis, 13News reported.
Neighbors said more than 30 law enforcement vehicles arrived at the block Friday morning.
Indianapolis Police Chief Randal Taylor noted that a “significant” number of employees at the facility are members of the Sikh community, although it is unclear if that had anything to do with the shooting.
The fatal victims have not yet been identified, police said.
Neighbors said more than 30 law enforcement vehicles arrived at the block Friday morning.