ROANOKE, Va. — A refugee from Kenya killed one former co-worker, wounded three others and then killed himself Tuesday in a workplace shooting that authorities are still trying to unravel in Virginia, police said.
Getachew Fekede, 53, had entered the U.S. through a refugee immigration program and worked for the railcar manufacturer FreightCar America before being fired in March when he stopped showing up for work, Roanoke Police Chief Tim Jones told reporters.
A neighbor said that Fekede quit his job over being harassed by a co-worker. Clarence Jones said Fedeke would send money to his mother back in Kenya and had grown concerned about his finances.
Police said Fekede rode a bicycle to the facility near downtown and somehow entered its paint shop. Officers received a call of shots fired at 6:02 a.m. and arrived two minutes later. But by that time, Fekede had fired 10 rounds from a 9 mm pistol, said Jones, the police chief.
One person died at the scene, and two others suffered wounds to their “lower extremities,” the chief said. A bullet grazed a third person’s chest. Fekede then killed himself, police said.
Two people remain hospitalized.
In a statement posted on its website, Chicago-based FreightCar America said it could not provide specific information about the victims but offered its “deepest condolences.”
Jim America, vice president and chief human resources officer of the company, said in an email that its investigation of the matter is in its early stages and the company will release more details when they are available.
The police chief said Fekede entered the U.S. in 2011 through a refugee immigration program. He said the incident appears to be work-related but the possibility of terrorism will be investigated. Authorities have already checked his Roanoke apartment as part of their investigation.
“All information at this time points to Fekede acting as the sole perpetrator,” the chief said.
Police said Fekede was terminated in March after failing to show up to work three days in a row. The chief added that Fekede was known as a “hard worker” and was legally working in the United States.
Jones, Fekede’s neighbor, said Fekede complained about a man at work who would intimidate and pick on him. Jones said Fekede transferred departments but ultimately quit when the problems continued.
Jones added that Fekede was an “excellent neighbor” who never showed any signs of violence.
