Four dead in shooting at Huntsville employment agency

February 25, 2003 12:00 am

The Associated Press,
(Huntsville, Alabama-AP) -- Police in Huntsville, Alabama, say they've been in touch with a man suspected of opening fire at a temporary employment agency this morning, killing four people.

Police say the suspect, who's cornered in his apartment, shot at officers. Police provided the suspect with a phone and had their first communication with him at noon Central time.

A police spokesman says he doesn't know the nature of the exchange.

Authorities have evacuated a residential area and surrounded the red-brick building, with some officers sitting in lawnchairs placed under a window.

Three people were dead on the scene at Labor Ready Incorporated, and a 55-year-old man died during surgery. One man suffered a leg wound.

Police say the shooting occurred about 6:30 am in the lobby of Labor Ready, where as many as 15 people were gathered waiting for work.

Police say a fight broke out among two groups of people over a CD player.