In the spring of 2021, a night of work turned into a scene of terror and tragedy for the employees of a FedEx facility in Indianapolis. Among those whose life was cut short was Karli Ann Smith, a 19-year-old female. On the evening of April 15th, a former employee, 19-year-old Brandon Scott Hole, returned to the workplace he had left the previous year.
Armed with two rifles, he began a seemingly random and indiscriminate attack on the people present.
The chaos unfolded shortly after 11:00 p.m. as Hole started shooting in the parking lot before moving towards the building. The attack was swift and brutal, lasting only a few minutes. Inside and outside the facility, employees were caught in the sudden burst of violence. Before law enforcement could arrive, Hole had taken his own life, leaving behind a scene of devastation and unanswered questions. Karli Ann Smith was one of eight victims who lost their lives in the senseless act of violence.
The investigation that followed revealed that the shooter had a history of mental health concerns. In March of the previous year, his mother had contacted law enforcement with concerns that he might attempt 'suicide by cop.' This led to a temporary mental health detention and the seizure of a shotgun. Despite this prior interaction with authorities, Hole was able to legally purchase the two rifles he used in the attack in July and September of 2020. The FBI investigated the shooting for any potential bias motive but concluded that the attack was not driven by racial or ethnic hatred. Ultimately, the motive behind the tragic event remained known only to the perpetrator.
