Police: Same suspect in Richland, Jacksonville shootings

Alfred Tankersley was fired from Southeastern Freight Trucking Company more than a year ago.

Police say apparently he never forgot, which is why he shot a man in Florida more than 20 times, killing him, then drove to Richland where he shot another manager and turned the gun on himself.

The other manager, who was shot multiple times Tuesday night with a 9mm handgun, was able to drive himself to Richland Police Department, where he asked for help.

Richland Police Chief Russel James said the victim is from Atlanta. That victim's name has not been released, and while his official status is not available, James said he looks like he will make it. Most of those shots were not life threatening, James said.

Tankersley was able to approach the victim when he was in his car, and shot at him several times. Eight or nine rounds were shot in the car, James said, and he was hit three or four times.

"It appears he kind of laid in wait for him," James said. "He was able to block his vehicle in, made contact, walked up to the car and started shooting with very, very little warning."

Tankersley, 50, of Orange Park, Florida, had been terminated from Southeastern Freight in 2015 after having worked there since 2006. James said the victims appear to be very specific targets who may have been involved in his firing.

Marty Deane Coffey, 50, was shot and killed after arriving for work at Old Dominion Freight Line in Jacksonville 6:30 a.m. Monday as he got out of his car to head into work, according to The Florida Times-Union.

Coffey and Tankersley had both worked in Richland for a time. It is unclear if Tuesday's victim did as well.

"It looks like he drove straight here, or at least relatively straight here, and committed this act as well," he said. "I assume he maybe just knew the process and how to call and ask if this guy is here or something."

James said Jacksonville's lead detective will be in Richland on Thursday.

Police initially were not sure if they had an active shooter situation on their hands, given the nature of a workplace shooting.

"That's what goes through your mind when the call comes in, so we were prepared for the worst on the way over there," he said.

SEE ALSO: Richland Walmart evacuated for bomb threat

Contact Therese Apel at tapel@gannett.com. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.