Massive response from region’s police
A report of people shot Thursday morning at Cummins Seymour Technical Center drew police officers from across southern and central Indiana.Those included Indiana State Police troopers from the Versailles and Sellersburg posts, officers from Columbus, Brownstown and other nearby cities and towns and sheriff’s departments in the area, and even an excise officer from Marion County. They were joined by officers with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI, and personnel from Jackson County Ambulance Service.Many stayed to help make sure the tech center and adjacent Seymour Engine Plant were cleared before employees were allowed to go collect personal items before going, while others answered routine calls throughout the city.
No similar situations in recent memory
Jackson County has not had an instance of a workplace shooting in decades. The same can’t be said of school shootings.In 1974, student David Fleetwood shot to death Brownstown Central High School Assistant Principal Jim Blevins when Blevins arrived for school. Fleetwood later was convicted of murder.
Nearby School placed on ‘hard lockdown’
The murder-suicide Thursday morning at Cummins Seymour Technical Center led to a “hard lockdown” at Seymour Middle School, which is located a few hundred yards north of the tech center.During a hard lockdown, classroom doors are locked. The other schools in Seymour were placed on “soft lockdowns,” which means the exterior doors are locked.
Governor visits city after incident
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence visited Seymour Engine Plant after the incident and praised the work of Seymour Police Chief Bill Abbott and the department and employees of Cummins in Seymour.“Our hearts go out to the family of the victim of this senseless act of violence at the Cummins plant in Seymour earlier today,” Pence said. “We commend local law enforcement for their swift response to this incident and will provide any and all support from Indiana State Police in the investigation.”
Technical center opened in 2015
The 7,000-square-foot Cummins Seymour Technical Center opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in mid-October 2015.The completion of the $70 million tech center coupled with the transformation of Seymour Engine Plant, which opened in 1976, was designed to serve as the headquarters of the company’s high-horsepower engine business.Officials said the two buildings eventually will house as many as 1,200 employees.
— Aubrey Woods , For The Republic