Holly MatkinChandler, AZ – An armed citizen fatally shot a gunman outside an Amazon delivery station on Wednesday after the suspect shot another man after an argument, according to police.
The incident occurred at the Amazon Fulfillment Center just southeast of McQueen Road and Queen Creek Road at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 14, KTVK reported.
Investigators said that’s when 29-year-old Jacob Murphy, who is not an Amazon employee, showed up at the rear employee parking lot and shot an unidentified Amazon contract employee multiple times, according to KSAZ.
Police said another Amazon contract employee intervened and pulled his own weapon, hitting Murphy and ending the attack, KTVK reported.
Murphy was pronounced dead in the parking lot of the facility, but investigators said it is unclear if he took his own life or if he died as a result of being shot by the armed Amazon contract employee.
The victim Murphy shot was rushed to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries, KTVK reported.
He was listed in stable condition on Wednesday evening.
I’m on scene at the Amazon Warehouse in Chandler where a shooting has sent one person to the hospital. We are moments away from learning more from police. @azfamily pic.twitter.com/jEF4l3E2hU
— Sarah Robinson (@sarahrobinsontv) December 14, 2022
The armed citizen who shot Murphy was not injured during the incident.
Chandler Police Department (CPD) Sergeant Jason McClimans said Murphy and the wounded victim had gotten into an argument unrelated to the victim’s employment prior to the shooting, KTVK reported.
Sgt. McClimans said the shooter was not targeting Amazon employees and that the incident was not an active shooter situation.
The worker who fatally shot Murphy is not expected to face criminal charges because he was defending his wounded coworker, according to the police sergeant.
The identities of the wounded worker and the employee who shot Murphy were not immediately released.
DEVELOPING: Police responding to a shooting at Amazon facility in Chandler, Arizona; injuries are being reported. #ChandlerArizona #Amazon #AmazonFacility #AmazonFacilityShooting pic.twitter.com/Dq9fICPDgI
— LockharTVMedia (@LockharTVMedia) December 14, 2022
The facility where the shooting occurred is a pickup zone for contracted Amazon Flex drivers who generally deliver packages for same-day or next-day orders, according to KSAZ.
Amazon spokesperson Richard Rocha said operations at the fulfillment hub have been temporarily suspended due to the shooting, KTVK reported.
Contractors and employees were all sent home with pay.
“We’re deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence in our parking lot,” Rocha told KTVK. “We’re working closely with law enforcement as they investigate and are focused on supporting our team during this difficult time.”
Sandy Malone
