A long-time employee at Mueller Water Products fire hydrant factory allegedly fatally shot two co-workers, wounded two others and then shot himself following a shift change.
According to Albertville Police Chief Jamie Smith, the shooting began shortly before 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 15, reported AL.com. According to local authorities, Andreas Deon Horton, 34, of DeKalb County, allegedly used a handgun to shoot four people in two or three different areas of the plant.
David Lee Horton and Michael Lee Dobbins, both of Boaz, Alabama were identified as the dead victims. Police Chief Smith said he was unaware of any family relations between Andreas Deon Horton and David Lee Horton. Wounded in the gunfire were Casey Sampson and Isaac Byrd, both of Albertville, Alabama, who were transported to Marshall Medical Center South before being transferred to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga.
In a statement released to the press, Mueller Water Products said:
Mueller Water Products is shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific tragedy that occurred early this morning at our Albertville, AL, facility. Our hearts are with the victims and their loved ones, the Albertville community and the entire Mueller family during this extremely difficult time. Our entire focus is on the health and wellbeing of our colleagues, and we are committed to providing any and all support to them and their families. We continue to work closely with law enforcement, with whom we share our deepest gratitude for their support.
The fire hydrant factory is gated with a guardhouse which is staffed by a private security firm, according to multiple local news sources. This is not the first shooting at a Mueller Water Products facility. In February 2019, five employees at Henry Pratt Company in Aurora, Illinois were killed by an employee at the facility.
According to police, Andreas Deon Horton left driving a maroon Jeep Cherokee, which was located at 6 a.m. in Guntersville, about 20 minutes drive from the plant. A police officer found Andreas Horton in the Jeep, parked on Carlisle Avenue near the Guntersville City Cemetery, dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Additionally, multiple weapons were recovered from the vehicle, all handguns.
Smith’s department brought all 28 of its detectives onto the crime scene and is relying on 15 other law enforcement agencies to review the case.
More than 400 people work at the plant in Albertville and those working the overnight shift said the shooting happened in a part of the plant where fire hydrants and pipes are painted. An announcement about an active shooter was made over a PA system at the factory, reported AL.com.
Employees were called Tuesday morning and told not to report to the plant until further notice, while investigators continue to gather evidence.
