NEW ALBANY, Ohio — A shocking shooting incident unfolded on Tuesday night at the KDC/One warehouse, leaving one person dead and five others injured. According to local authorities, the shooting, which occurred around 10:20 p.m., has been classified as a targeted attack.
New Albany Police Chief Greg Jones confirmed during a press conference early Wednesday morning details about the incident, which has shaken the local community. "This is a heartbreaking and tragic situation," Jones stated. He emphasized the preparedness of local law enforcement to respond swiftly to such emergencies.
The KDC/One facility, located on Smith’s Mill Road, is mainly involved in manufacturing beauty products, employing around 150 people at the time of the shooting. Eyewitnesses described the chaotic scene as alarms rang and employees were evacuate immediately.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found one victim deceased within the building and transported five others to nearby hospitals for treatment. The conditions of those injured are still unknown as of Wednesday morning. The precise details of the shooting remain unclear, but police confirmed they recovered one firearm from the scene.
Authorities have identified the suspect as Bruce Reginald Foster III, who allegedly worked at KDC/One. Foster is described as approximately 6 feet tall and weighing around 175 pounds. Although he has been identified, he is currently at large, and no charges have been placed on him yet. Jones clarified, "At this point, we believe the suspect does not pose a general threat to the public." Officials do not believe there was any altercation leading up to the shooting.
New Albany police reported they are reviewing security footage from the facility and are pursuing leads to locate Foster. "We have a person of interest and we're actively searching for them," Jones remarked, assuring the community of their efforts. The police have reached out to the public for any information relating to the suspect’s whereabouts.
This incident marks the third shooting at large warehouses within the area since 2022, raising significant concerns over safety protocols and the management of security within such facilities. An earlier incident involved Ali Hamsa Yusuf, who fatally shot himself after firing at another security guard at the Amazon fulfillment center last year. Another case saw the death of a woman at the SK Food Group plant, with police attributing it to domestic circumstances.
The aftermath of the KDC/One shooting has left many employees shaken, with community leaders calling for increased measures to prevent such tragedies from occurring again. Jones urged companies to remain vigilant and to have emergency plans prepared for similar incidents.
New Albany, neighboring Columbus, is reported to have recently been grappling with rising concerns over gun violence, with this incident contributing to the troubling statistics of mass shootings across the U.S.—where at least 26 such incidents have been documented so far this year.
Local schools remain open, though the police have stated the KDC/One facility will remain closed during the active investigation. Community members and local officials stand united as they begin to grapple with the impact of this tragedy. They are reminded of the importance of staying informed and connected as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information related to the shooting or Foster's whereabouts is urged to contact the New Albany police at 614-855-1234. The public's assistance is deemed invaluable as authorities work to resolve this tragic event and secure peace within the community anew.