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Last updated on Thursday, May 31, 2012
(INDIANAPOLIS) - An Indianapolis man shot four people at an apartment complex Wednesday afternoon before turning his gun on himself.
Kent Erdahl of Fox 59 reports that police say the gunman, who they have not identified, opened fire at the Villa Paree Apartments at 4:30 p.m. He fatally shot Alicia Koehl, of Indianapolis, who was employee at the apartments.
The man also shot and injured two additional employees, Jacob Wiseman, of Beech Grove, and Charlene Sanders, of Indianapolis. One resident, Stephanie Bellamy, of Indianapolis, was also injured. Police says all three victims are listed in stable condition at Indianapolis hospitals.
According to IMPD investigators, the gunman began his rampage by entering an apartment laundry building and opening fire on two maintenance employees. One of the employees escaped injury, the other suffered multiple gunshot wounds and ran from the building.
Neighbors say the gunman briefly gave chase.
"We looked over and we saw the guy reloading his gun," said Ben Wilson who lives in the apartment complex and walked outside after hearing the first gunshots. "The maintenance guy came running through here and he said, 'Oh my God, oh my God, he is shooting at me.' I heard him shoot a couple more times. We ran around the side of the apartment and then he went around and started firing at him again. Me and my brother came back around and went up into our apartment. I'm not sure where the maintenance man went."
The maintenance man, Jacob Wiseman, made it across the street to a parking lot until help arrived.
Police say the gunman continued to the leasing office, fatally shot Alicia Koehl, and then continued to a nearby apartment where he shot resident Stephanie Bellamy.
A police spokesperson says the gunman then returned to the leasing office and kicked in the door before opening fire on the fourth victim, Charlene Sanders, who was trying to help Koehl, her coworker.
"She came out to check on her friend to try to render aid, call 911 and, you know, do all the things that normal folks would do," said public information officer Kendale Adams. "He then came back and shot her."
By that time, IMPD officers had arrived on the scene in response to several 911 calls. Officers surrounded the gunman near the pool outside.
"It appears that he turned and faced the officers with the weapon at some point," Adams said. "After that he then put the weapon to his head and fired one shot."
The gunman later died at the hospital.
Police are still investigating a motive, but residents say the gunman had mentioned having problems with maintenance and members of the office staff.
IMPD Interim Police Chief Rick Hite said it's one of several factors investigators are looking into.
"There is evidence that there was some ongoing issues," Hite said. "Apparently there were some challenges with this young man, and probably his mental health had something to do with that.
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