Two Found Shot And Killed In Parking Lot Of UPS Sorting Facility In Hodgkins; Police Investigate As Murder-Suicide
HODGKINS, Ill. (CBS) -- Two people were found shot and killed Monday afternoon in the parking lot at a sprawling UPS distribution center in southwest suburban Hodgkins.
As CBS 2's Jeremy Ross reported, police said they have launched a murder-suicide investigation. They had been at the scene for about four hours as of 5 p.m.
Police also said they recovered a black semiautomatic handgun at the scene – and those nearby heard that gun as it was fired.
"What was that?" said Sadie Parks. "One of the guys was like, 'Oh, that sounded like gunshots.'"
Police tape and squad cars were parked outside the UPS facility for hours Monday afternoon.
The parking pavement was the scene of the crime, but the violence echoed across the street to the Double J Riding Club – a horse farm – where Parks was working at the time.
"It was like multiple pops like in a row - like six or seven, at least," Parks said. "It's very scary. It was very scary that it was like right across the street - like nothing ever happens around here, so it's a little nerve-wracking."
The gunfire startled the animals first, then whoever was nearby.
Hodgkins police said around 12:50 p.m., officers responded to a call of shots fired in the employee parking lot of the UPS facility near 75th Street and Willow Springs Road.
Officers found two people lying on the ground, unresponsive, and secured the scene. Paramedics declared both victims dead at the scene, according to police.
Police said late Monday that the people found dead in the parking lot were a man and woman, and the woman was a UPS employee.
Squads, detectives, and an investigation followed.
"There is no evidence to suggest that there is a continuing threat to the community," said Hodgkins police Deputy Chief Joseph Klotz.
In a statement, UPS spokesman Matthew O'Connor said, "We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred this afternoon, and we are cooperating with the responding authorities." He declined to comment further.
"I just want to offer my prayers to them," Parks said.
Police late Monday were in the process of determining the relationship of the two people who died. Their identities had not been released late Monday.
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