Shooter Identified, Motive Unclear
- By Ralph C. Jensen
- Apr 16, 2021
UPDATED, APRIL 19, 1:41 p.m. – Officials in Indianapolis have released the names of the eight people who were killed when a gunman opened fire at a FedEx warehouse on April 15.
Among the victims were four members of the local Sikh community - including a mother, a father and two grandmothers. Other victims include two 19-year-olds, a university graduate and a father.
Local Sikhs say they feel "traumatized" by the attack. It remains unclear if Sikhs were targeted, authorities say.
About 90% of workers at the facility are members of the local Sikh community, according to police chief Randal Taylor said.
Here are the victims:
Amarjeet Kaur Johal. She is a 66-year-old mother, grandmother and member of the Indianapolis' Sikh community. According to her grandson's Twitter, Johal was planning to work a double shift Thursday so she could take Friday off. She later decided to grab her check and go home. She still had her check in her hand when they found her.
Jaswinder Singh. Just started working at the FedEx facility this week and had told everyone how excited he was, an in-law, Harjap Singh Dillon, told the New York Times. He said Singh had been working a night-shift sorting mail when the attack happened.
An active member of the local temple, Singh, age 70, had moved to Indianapolis from California.
"He was a simple man," Dillon said. "He used to pray and meditate a lot, and he did community service."
Amarjit Sekhon. A 48-year-old mother of two, started working at the FedEx Plainfield Ground facility in November. The mother of two sons, ages 16 and 22, loved to work, her brother-in-law Kuldip Sekhon said.
Jasvinder Kaur. Planning to celebrate a granddaughter’s second birthday two days later, Kaur, 50, was known for her a delicious yogurt, and was planning to bring it to the large family gathering.
Matthew R. Alexander. A former student at Butler University, the school said in a tweet Saturday. He was 32 years old.
Samaria Blackwell. A 19-year-old who started working at FedEx about two months ago, according to a family friend. Blackwell dreamed of becoming a police officer.
Karli Smith. A 19-year-old sister and daughter. Smith’s family had last heard from her at 10:59 p.m. Thursday night, according to a Facebook post. They later learned that “she didn’t make it.”
John Weisert. A 74 year old package handler, who went by his middle name, Steve, had worked part-time for about four years at FedEx. He had just ended his shift at 11 p.m. Thursday when he was killed in the shooting. Though reclusive, Weisert was a “cool guy,” his son said. “A really smart guy ... But not really socially adept. An engineer.”
John and his wife Mary were long-time volunteers at Conner Prairie in Fishers and for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. They were also train buffs, volunteering for the Indiana Transportation Museum when it was located in Noblesville.
About the Author
Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher of Security Today magazine.