Jefferson County authorities said Thursday that the shootings that took place at the Blue Creek strip mine early Wednesday had nothing to do with the county’s ongoing mine strike.
At around 1 a.m., a 44-year-old security guard at the strip mine reached a local hospital with severe gunshot wounds. He couldn’t reveal much information about the shooter and is currently listed in critical condition.
Nearly six hours later, police were called to the same address where the first victims worked, this time over a deceased person found by employees.
The victim was identified as an 80-year-old security guard. His 2005 black Cadillac was nowhere to be found until the following afternoon.
Cullman County Deputy Chad Whale said that fellow deputies spotted the victim’s vehicle at around 12:30 p.m. with the suspect leading police into a perilous chase that ended with him turning the gun on himself.
Several law enforcement agencies were involved in the chase. The case is currently being handled by the SBI.
