Two people were shot and killed and a third was critically wounded by an active shooter at the Bunn-O-Matic warehouse in Springfield, Illinois, according to Springfield police. He was an active employee, police said.
Authorities gave out a suspect name over the scanner and said they were actively seeking that person, who was driving a black or dark blue 2013 GMC pickup. “Investigation – homicide,” a dispatcher said in the scanner audio, describing the suspect. The suspect was also described as “armed with handgun.”
Police later named the suspect as Michael L. Collins, 48, of Springfield, Illinois. They found the suspect vehicle stopped on a highway with the driver “slumped over the wheel.” Collins was found deceased inside the vehicle, according to police.
In a press conference, the Springfield police chief said, “today is a somber day.”
Police received a call of multiple shots fired. A person had been shot, police were told. Police arrived in one minute. Upon arrival, officers located two victims inside the buildings and one in the parking lot. The suspect had fled the scene. Authorities identified a possible suspect, the chief said.
Here’s what you need to know:
Two Men & One Woman Were Shot
All of the victims are employees, including the suspect. The two deceased victims are white males in their 20s and 60s, and a white female in her 50s is in critical condition at the hospital, police said, adding that they believe the suspect knew the victims. At 1:49 p.m., the suspect was located inside his vehicle deceased, according to the chief.
“SPD is on the scene of a reported shooting at Bunn-O-Matic, 1400 Stevenson Drive. The scene is closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic. A media staging area has been set up at the SE corner of 11th/Stevenson. Details are still incoming at this time. Please avoid this area and take alternative routes,” Springfield police wrote in a statement.
“I know him from years ago, he’s worked there forever,” a man wrote on Facebook of the suspect.
According to WAND-TV, the Bunn-O-Matic is a warehouse in Springfield. The station reported that the Sangamon County Sheriff has confirmed officers were called there for a shooting around 11 a.m. on June 26.
Police Described the Scene as ‘Complete Chaos’
You can listen to live scanner traffic here. It’s the feed for Sangamon County Law Enforcement. Authorities were trying to get a person from HR to look at still images on a camera. They were also talking about breaching and clearing buildings.
“It’s complete chaos down here,” an officer said on the scanner. About 85-90 employees were sheltered at one location. Police were also interviewing both critical and non-critical witnesses, and they said that the FBI was involved.
The warehouse is located at 1400 Adlai Stevenson Drive, and local streets have been shut down.
“My husband works there and he is okay. Said at least two people were shot. Prayers for all involved,” a woman wrote on Facebook.
Another woman wrote on Facebook, “Active shooter on the loose from Bunn. Police just made me get in the house and lock my doors.” Another woman wrote on Facebook that all the buildings were locked down, and “multiple people shot.”
The Company Has Existed Since 1957
The Bunn-O-Matic company sells beverage equipment.
“Since 1957, Bunn-O-Matic Corporation (BUNN®) has been at the forefront of dispensed beverage equipment manufacturers. Founded upon five generations of family entrepreneurship, BUNN has become a global partner you can count on for reliable beverage equipment and outstanding post-purchase support wherever customers are served. The BUNN core values of honesty, integrity, and courtesy have created a global network of loyal commercial and home customers who are served by the company’s brand promise, A Partner You Can Count On,” the company’s about me page says.
This post is being updated as more information is learned about the Springfield shooting.
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