Seven die in warehouse worker shooting rampage

A gunman on the verge of losing his job opened fire at a Chicago car parts warehouse, killing six people. The attacker was shot dead in a gun battle with police.

Salvador Tapia, 36, died during the standoff, which took place both inside and outside the building, hiding behind a container as he fired off rounds from his semiautomatic pistol, authorities said.

Acting police superintendent Phil Cline said a police officer shot Tapia when he refused an order to drop his gun.

Authorities were called at about 8.45am yesterday, with reports that a person had been shot – possibly by a colleague at the Windy City Core Supply, police spokesman Pat Camden said. He said police fired shots as they entered the building.

Tapia, who had a long police record, lost his job about six months ago for causing trouble at work and frequently arriving late or not at all, Cline said.

Cline said when police arrived they tried to get into the building but were driven back by gunfire, and when an assault team entered the building they had trouble manoeuvring through all the car parts.

He said four people died at the scene. Tapia and two others died after being taken to hospital.

All buildings within a block of the auto parts and supply store were evacuated.