A UPS worker fired the day before returned to his company's 4601 Inglenook Lane Birmingham, Ala. customer service center and warehouse on Tuesday, and killed two supervisors before taking his own life.

The gunman identified as Joe Tesney, 45, wore his UPS uniform while committing those acts, Birmingham Police chief A.C. Roper said at a morning news conference. Tesney's mother-in-law Wanda Binney told Ala.com he was "one of the best men I've ever known," adding, "anybody but Joe. He never hurt anybody in his life."

Like Us on Facebook

The shooter was a 45-year-old white male from the Argo section of Birmingham. He was said to be a married with two daughters. He had been fired from UPS Monday. Police said they found the gun used in the shootings beneath his fallen body.

Roper said the investigation was in its initial stages, so no information was available about motives although officials had "a pretty good idea." The dead supervisors "had no idea it would be their last day alive on earth," he added.

The shootings took place shortly before 9:20 a.m. when multiple 911 calls alerted police to the unfolding incident. The shootings ended minutes before hundreds of police officers responded and found three bodies at the scene. Nobody else was hurt, officials said.

Hundreds of UPS workers fled the scene in panic. Nearby schools were locked down and friends and families of UPS workers quickly arrived at the scene.

UPS officials said the shooter had been fired recently and the other two dead men at the scene were his supervisors. Officials said UPS was cooperating fully with authorities and focused on maintaing safety for its employees.

Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives officers as well as state police were assisting Birmingham authorities in the investigation. Birmingham officers also were at the Argo residence of the suspected shooter looking for more information, Roper said. Several people at the scene were being questioned, he said.

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley issued a statement saying thoughts and prayers from himself and his wife were with the victim families.

TagsWorkplace violence, UPS, Birmingham, Alabama, ups shooter