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Sheriff: Disgruntled Former Employee Kills 5 In Orlando Workplace Shooting

ORLANDO, Fla. (CBSNewYork/AP) — Five people were killed Monday morning by a disgruntled former employee of a business in an industrial area in Orlando, authorities said.

In a news conference, Sheriff Jerry Demings called the shooting a "tragic incident.''

"It's a sad day for us once again in Orange County,'' he said. "Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the victims."

Demings said police first received a call about an active shooter around 8:03 a.m. at Fiamma Inc., a business that makes awnings for recreational vehicles.

He said deputies arrived within two minutes and found three men and one woman dead at the scene. A fifth male victim was taken to the hospital, but later died, Demings said. Seven others survived the shooting.

The sheriff said the suspect was carrying a gun and a knife, but there was no indication that he used the knife. It's not clear if the shooter was aiming for specific targets or shooting at random, CBS2's Magdalena Doris reported.

Demings identified the suspect only as a 45-year-old former employee who was fired from the business in April. He said the suspect shot and killed himself.

"He was disgruntled employee that came back to this business this morning," Demings said. "At this time we have no indication this subject is a participant in any type of terror organization. What this is, at this point, is likely a workplace violence incident."

The company says on its website that it is one of the largest manufacturers of awnings for camper vans, motor coaches and sports utility vehicles.

The sheriff said the suspect had been involved in a previous workplace violence incident and had been accused of battering another employee inside the business. He was not charged in that case.

"He has a criminal history, minor in nature," Demings said. "Charges such as possession of marijuana, DUI and misdemeanor battery."

The Associated Press talked with Shelley Adams, whose sister, Sheila McIntrye, works for the company and was in the bathroom when shots rang out.

McIntyre is safe with police now but she called her sister during the shooting and was very upset. She kept repeating "My boss is dead. My boss is dead."

Gov. Rick Scott said he had been briefed by law enforcement and that he and his wife, Ann, "are praying for the families who lost loved ones today."

"I ask all Floridians to pray for the families impacted by this senseless act of violence," he added.

The shooting came a week from the one-year anniversary of the Orlando, Pulse nightclub attack.

(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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