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Three people have died after a gunmanopened fireat a grain services facility in Nebraska on Thursday after being terminated from the company, authorities say.
The alleged shooter, identified as Max Hoskinson, 61, of Superior, had lost his job with Agrex the same day he allegedly killed two people and injured another, according to a statement from Nebraska State Patrol.
Just before 2 p.m. local time, police say Hoskinson returned to the Agrex Elevator facility in Superior and allegedly began firing off a handgun. One victim was pronounced dead at the scene, while another died after being life-flighted to Bryan Health West Campus in Lincoln with life-threatening injuries, pera second NSP statement.
A third victim was treated and released from the same Superior hospital.
Bill Blauvelt, who publishes the town newspaperSuperior Express, told theOmaha World-Heraldthat both Hoskinson and his victims were well-known in the community. “It’s a small town. We all feel the pain,” he said.
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Blauvelt told the Herald that Hoskinson had served as the elevator’s chief grain merchandiser at the elevator. One of his victims, Blauvelt added, was a female merchandiser and native of Superior who worked for Hoskinson. She too had been at the elevator for many years.
Mayor Chris Peterson also mourned the local tragedy. “We feel for the families,” he told theWorld-Herald. “Everybody is kind of in shock, which is what you’d expect. But we will pull through this. It’s what small towns do. People help each other.”
Nebraska governor Pete Rickettsoffered his condolencesto the victims' families in a brief statement on Twitter.
“The news of the attack on Agrex Elevator in Superior is shocking and devastating,” Ricketts said, adding that he and his wife Suzanne “are praying for the victims of the attack.”
State Patrol Lt. Michael Korte says the victims' identities will be released on Friday, per theLincoln Journal-Star.
The Nuckolls County Sheriff’s Office, the Superior Police Department and Nuckolls County Attorney’s Office are assisting the NSP in the ongoing investigation.
source: people.com
