A South Carolina coroner has released the names of the victims’ after a murder-suicide in the parking lot of the Timken plant in Gaffney.
Deputies were called to the plant just before 7 a.m. Wednesday about a shooting.
Cherokee County Sheriff Steve Mueller said a woman was found in the parking lot with multiple gunshot wounds, along with a man that appeared to have a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Both were taken to the hospital, where they died, Mueller said.
Several employees witnessed the shooting as they arrived at work, Mueller said.
Coroner Dennis Fowler said the victims were 47-year-old Myra Davidson and 55-year-old Dock Theodore Roosevelt Hopper.
“Family members of the victims said Hopper and Davidson worked the same shift at Timken and had previously dated before breaking the relationship off,” Fowler said. “This is a tragic event witnessed by a number of employees as they were arriving for work today. Our prayers are with them and the victims’ families.”
Fowler said according to witnesses, Hopper arrived first and approached Davidson when she showed up a few minutes later. He said Hopper reportedly pulled a handgun and fired several shots toward Davidson and then turned the gun on himself
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic situation and our thoughts are with our associates, their family and friends. We are cooperating with local authorities and defer any questions about the investigation to them,” Plant spokesman Scott Schroeder in a statement. “We are focused on supporting our employees at this time and will have grief counselors on-site to provide assistance.
Tell us your thoughts...