Lockheed plant reopens today, a week after deadly shootings

By Staff
from staff and wire reports
July 15, 2003
JACKSON Lockheed Martin reopened its plant in Lauderdale County today, a week after an assembly line worker's shooting spree killed five fellow employees and wounded nine others.
Doug Williams, 48, took his own life after the attack at the airplane parts plant. He had left a workplace ethics meeting but returned with a shotgun and semiautomatic rifle and began firing.
All but three of the wounded had been released from Meridian hospitals by Monday. DeLois Bailey, the most seriously injured, remained in critical condition, authorities said.
Lockheed spokesman Sam Grizzle said Monday that the defense contractor is cooperating with authorities but has yet to open its own investigation.
The Lockheed Martin plant reopened at 8 a.m.; plant hours will be 8 a.m.-3 p.m. this week.
Professional counseling will be available for Lockheed Martin employees, family members and Meridian community members from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. tonight and Wednesday at Union Station, 1990 Front St.
There is no charge for the service.
Maj. Ward Calhoun of the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department said Monday that investigators were close to piecing together exactly what happened last week.
Calhoun said investigators had received additional paperwork on Williams' employment record. In addition, he said employees were being re-interviewed and state Crime Lab reports reviewed to help determine the sequence of events.
Calhoun said investigators were also waiting on results from the FBI's analysis of Williams' home computer, which are expected by Tuesday.
The plant, which employs nearly 140, makes parts for C-130J Hercules transport planes and vertical stabilizers for F-22 Raptor fighter jets.