AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — An employee opened fire outside a northeastern Georgia food processing plant Thursday, fatally shooting his wife before killing himself, authorities said.
The Richmond County Sheriff's Office did not immediately say what prompted the slaying and suicide at FPL Food in Augusta, Ga. Sheriff's investigators identified the gunman as Emanuel Jordan, 21, of Augusta.
"He fired several shots at the first victim before he turned the gun on himself," said Sgt. Dan Carrier of the sheriff's office.
Chief Deputy Coroner Mark Bowen told The Augusta Chronicle that the victim was Jordan's wife, 40-year-old Tia Jordan. Emanuel Jordan worked at the plant but his wife did not, according to a statement from FPL Food.
"We are shocked and horrified by this terrible tragedy," the company said. "We have provided and will continue to provide grief counseling to our employees. Our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies go out to the families of the victims."
No one else was injured in the shootings, which happened in the plant's parking lot shortly after 1 p.m. An autopsy is set for Friday.
Jordan had previous Richmond County charges of family violence, simple battery and theft by receiving stolen property from 2008 and a charge of cocaine possession from 2009, law enforcement officers told the Chronicle.
It was the first homicide of 2012 in Richmond County, the newspaper reported.
According to its website, the company processes beef products such as tenderloins, cube steak, ground beef and taco filling.