A suspect is in custody after a mass shooting in New Albany left one person dead and five injured. The shooting happened Tuesday night at the KDC/ONE cosmetics facility.
New Albany police identified the suspect as 28-year-old Bruce Reginald Foster III. Police said Wednesday morning that Foster was taken into custody after executing a search warrant in Columbus.
Columbus Police dispatch told WOSU Foster was arrested at 10 a.m. at 50 E. 7th Avenue by the U.S. Marshals Service.
New Albany Police Chief Greg Jones said Foster worked at KDC/ONE.
New Albany police received a call of an active shooter at about 10:20 p.m. Tuesday at the light-manufacturing facility at 8825 Smith's Mill Road. KDC/One makes beauty and personal care products.
New Albany Police Chief Greg Jones said early Wednesday that about 150 people were inside the building at the time of the shooting.
"This has been a very tragic situation," Jones said. "This is something we hoped would never happen in our community, but we prepare for it and this is where we are at now."
Jones said he did not know the conditions of those taken to the hospitals. He did not identify the person who died or those injured.
Jones says its been difficult for family members of victims as they've been given the heartbreaking news.
"It's been a long night, but I'll tell you... it's not me," Jones said. "Having to break the news to the family that lost somebody last night and to the staff who I'm sure is traumatized and to all the police and fire staff that have been out here all night working on this."
Jones said the person who died was in the building.
Jones said a handgun was found at the scene.
Jones said the shooting appears to be a targeted attack. He said police do not have a motive. He said authorities checked several locations while looking for Foster.
Foster already has been charged with aggravated murder in the Licking County Court of Common Pleas. Foster is scheduled for arraignment on Thursday. His home address is listed at an apartment complex in northeast Columbus.
Nick Whitley, CEO of KDC/ONE, said in a released statement, “We are shocked and saddened by the tragic shooting that occurred on February 4 at our New Albany, Ohio facility. Our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted and their families. The safety and well-being of our employees is our top priority. We are actively assisting the New Albany Police Department in their ongoing investigation and are sincerely grateful for the swift action of our local authorities and first responders.”
New Albany Mayor Sloan Spalding expressed his sympathies to the families of the people impacted by the shooting. He said people must be held accountable when they break the law.
"We may never know the reason that drove this individual to undertake these horrible acts, but regrettably, this pattern is too common in our country and we must do better. We must do more to support each other, to lend a hand to a friend or colleague or a coworker who is clearly in need," Spalding said.
Jones said that Foster did not drive to work. He said it appears Foster left the building after the shooting, and a ride was waiting for him before police arrived.
Jones said detectives were interviewing people who were in the building. He said there are witnesses. They were evacuated to a neighboring building.
More than two dozen police vehicles were at the scene Wednesday morning, including those from Franklin County and Licking County sheriff's departments, and Columbus, Pataskala, Gahanna and Johnstown police, Jones said.
The chief said the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, the U.S Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Marshal's Service are helping with the investigation.
Officials say they are working to figure out if the gun that was used in the shooting is connected with any other crimes.
