2 women dead after shooting at Indiana automotive plant, authorities say; suspect arrested



A woman and her granddaughter were shot dead Wednesday after a gunman opened fire outside a central Indiana automotive plant where the women worked, authorities said.

The shooting occurred in the NHK Seating of America factory parking lot at about 4:15 p.m. Wednesday during a shift change, Clinton County Sheriff Rich Kelly said. The plant is located in Frankfort, Indiana, about 45 miles north of Indianapolis.

The male suspect fled the scene in a blue Ford, but was apprehended by police shortly after when he crashed, Kelly told reporters. He later said that co-workers identified the suspect as Gary C. Ferrell II, 26, of Frankfort, who worked the day shift at the plant, and said he remained in custody pending charges.

"We were able to get him stopped within probably 45 seconds to a minute of him leaving the facility," he told reporters.

The women killed were identified as Promise Mays, 21. and her grandmother, Pamela Sled, 62, both of nearby Rossville, Indiana, who were arriving for the beginning of their evening shifts, Kelly said.

Ferrell and the two women were all employees of the plant and knew each other, according to authorities. The motive of the shooting is unknown.

Frankfort police, Clinton County sheriff's deputies, Indiana State Police and the Clinton County Coroner's Office all were at the scene investigating or securing the scene.

The shooting led NHK, which has two factories in Frankfort, to stop production for the day. "They're concerned with the well-being of their employees," Kelly said.

The plant designs and makes seating for vehicles, opened in June, The Associated Press reported. It opened in June.

"We are shocked and saddened by these events, and our prayers and sympathy go out to the friends, families and co-workers of the victims," NHK said in its statement.

According to data compiled by AP/USA TODAY/Northeastern University, there had been 14 workplace shootings since 2006, before this year's shootings in Indianapolis; Bryan, Texas; San Jose; and now Frankfort.

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