CLINTON COUNTY — A grandmother and her granddaughter were shot and killed in the parking lot of a factory Wednesday in Clinton County as they were getting ready to start their shifts, the Clinton County Sheriff said.
The call came in around 4:15 p.m. at the new NHK factory near State Road 28 and Interstate 65, according to the sheriff's office.
Sheriff Rich Kelly said Pamela Sledd, 62, and her granddaughter, Promise Mays, 21, were in the parking lot getting ready to start their shifts together when they were shot and killed.
No other injuries were reported.
The suspect, Gary C. Ferrell II, 26-years-old, was taken into custody after a pursuit into Frankfort, Kelly said. He was also a current employee of the factory.
The relationship between Mays, Sledd and Ferrell is unknown at this time, Kelly said. Detectives are still working to determine the motive.
Indiana State Police personnel are assisting with the investigation, ISP Sgt. Jeremy Piers said. Kelly said the FBI and ATF are also assisting with the investigation. The Clinton County Prosecutor's Office is at the scene and assisting with serving search warrants.
Dispatchers took about nine calls in a short amount of time reporting the shooting at the factory, Clinton County Central Dispatch Director Renne Crick said. Staff at the dispatch center began putting this information out to deputies and officers, which Crick said she felt helped officers find Ferrell.
Piers said all employees were sent home for the evening.
NHK released the following statement:
Earlier today, there was a shooting at NHK's manufacturing facility. Two employees were shot and killed. We are cooperating with the authorities, and the shooter has been apprehended and is in police custody. We are shocked and saddened by these events, and our prayers and sympathy go out to the friends, families and co-workers of the victims.
NHK manufactures automotive seats and safety units for Subaru of Indiana Automotive in Lafayette, according to its website. It has about 700 employees.
On Wednesday evening after the press conference, Kelly released the following statement:
I am deeply angered and appalled by the violent crime that took place in our community this afternoon. This behavior will simply not be tolerated. We are working feverishly with the Clinton County Prosecutor’s Office to gather evidence and statements so that we may move forward with charges in the next couple of days. I want to express my sincere condolences to the family of Ms. Sledd and Ms. Mays. I pray they are in the hands of God this evening and that their families can find comfort in the days and weeks ahead. To the employees of NHK who witnessed this horrifying scene, our chaplains will be available, as will counseling provided by NHK. Our hearts are with all of you. To my Deputies- ‘the wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion (Proverbs 28)’… This afternoon you pursued evil and you chased him into an unknown, where you safely apprehended him with no harm to yourselves or to others. I am humbled with pride to represent such bravery and professionalism. To the other responding officers of Frankfort Police and Mulberry, I thank you for following us into the fight. I can’t give our Central Dispatch enough credit for the amazing job they do getting our first responders vital information to render aid to victims and to capture suspects. I want to personally thank all of the other agencies who supported the Sheriff’s Office this afternoon- the Salvation Army, ISP, FBI, ATF, Coroner’s Office, EMS, Fire, and our wrecker services from Jerry’s and Miller’s. Thank you to our Chaplains for their response to our scene and to our Correctional Staff for their professionalism in receiving the suspect. Our first responders are all top notch in their respective professions and I am proud to serve with all of them! Please continue to pray for the families of the victims. Pray for NHK. Pray for our First Responders. Love and support one another and stay safe.
