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Breaking News
Six Dead in Lockheed Martin Shooting
Aired July 08, 2003 - 12:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, ANCHOR: ... employee at the Meridian facility, the Lockheed Martin facility which manufactures parts for the C-130 transport jet as well as the Raptor jet among other things at that Lockheed Martin plant, a plant that's been in operation now for about 30 years or so, employing about 100 people, according to sheriff Billy Sollie.
We'll continue to monitor this breaking story. We'll try to get some more information. We're trying to get some confirmation, some reaction, also, from Lockheed Martin. We hope to speak with someone from Lockheed Martin shortly to get us a little bit more information.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back. We're following a breaking story outside of Meridian, Mississippi. Let's recap for viewers who may just be tuning in.
A shooting incident occurring at the Lockheed Martin plant earlier this morning. Six individuals now dead, according to the local sheriff, Billy Sollie, including the shooter, who apparently took his own life after going into the plant with two weapons, one automatic weapon, opening fire, running through the plant.
No indication of a motive, although it is suggested by both the sheriff as well as the mayor of Meridian, that the individual, that the shooter was, in fact, an employee at the plant. No name has yet been released pending notification of next of kin.
Let's listen to what the mayor told me here on CNN only a few minutes ago.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN SMITH, MAYOR, MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI: the community is obviously reeling in shock from an event like this. It's not supposed to happen in a city like Meridian, Mississippi or in Lauderdale County.
But we're a people of strong faith. The clergy has responded to a call, and they are here, giving the best hope, consolation and prayer that can be given in a time like this. We're a strong, resilient people with a strong faith and as unspeakable as this act is, we will be stronger.
(END VIDEOTAPE) BLITZER: Mayor John Robert Smith, the mayor of Meridian, speaking about this horrendous shooting incident earlier today in a Lockheed Martin plant outside of Meridian, Mississippi.
Six people dead including the shooter, apparently suicide killing himself after opening fire. Eight others in hospitals right now, having been shot. We don't know their condition.
We'll continue to monitor the story, bring you updates as they become available. We're also standing by, hoping to get some additional information from Lockheed Martin itself, the manufacturer of this plant which manufactures parts for both the C-130 military transport planes, the Hercules, as well as the F-22 jet fighter.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired July 8, 2003 - 12:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, ANCHOR: ... employee at the Meridian facility, the Lockheed Martin facility which manufactures parts for the C-130 transport jet as well as the Raptor jet among other things at that Lockheed Martin plant, a plant that's been in operation now for about 30 years or so, employing about 100 people, according to sheriff Billy Sollie.
We'll continue to monitor this breaking story. We'll try to get some more information. We're trying to get some confirmation, some reaction, also, from Lockheed Martin. We hope to speak with someone from Lockheed Martin shortly to get us a little bit more information.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back. We're following a breaking story outside of Meridian, Mississippi. Let's recap for viewers who may just be tuning in.
A shooting incident occurring at the Lockheed Martin plant earlier this morning. Six individuals now dead, according to the local sheriff, Billy Sollie, including the shooter, who apparently took his own life after going into the plant with two weapons, one automatic weapon, opening fire, running through the plant.
No indication of a motive, although it is suggested by both the sheriff as well as the mayor of Meridian, that the individual, that the shooter was, in fact, an employee at the plant. No name has yet been released pending notification of next of kin.
Let's listen to what the mayor told me here on CNN only a few minutes ago.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN SMITH, MAYOR, MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI: the community is obviously reeling in shock from an event like this. It's not supposed to happen in a city like Meridian, Mississippi or in Lauderdale County.
But we're a people of strong faith. The clergy has responded to a call, and they are here, giving the best hope, consolation and prayer that can be given in a time like this. We're a strong, resilient people with a strong faith and as unspeakable as this act is, we will be stronger.
(END VIDEOTAPE) BLITZER: Mayor John Robert Smith, the mayor of Meridian, speaking about this horrendous shooting incident earlier today in a Lockheed Martin plant outside of Meridian, Mississippi.
Six people dead including the shooter, apparently suicide killing himself after opening fire. Eight others in hospitals right now, having been shot. We don't know their condition.
We'll continue to monitor the story, bring you updates as they become available. We're also standing by, hoping to get some additional information from Lockheed Martin itself, the manufacturer of this plant which manufactures parts for both the C-130 military transport planes, the Hercules, as well as the F-22 jet fighter.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
