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American Morning

Sacramento Deadly Rampage Ends with Suspect Killing Himself

Aired September 10, 2001 - 09:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to begin with a shocking story, a deadly rampage that erupted into a running gun battle with police. This started over the weekend in Sacramento and it ended early this morning when, authorities say, a former security guard suspected of killing five people shot and killed himself.

CNN's James Hattori has been following this. He joins us now from Sacramento live the with details -- James.

JAMES HATTORI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Leon.

A 24-hour man hunt ended -- culminated, rather, with a standoff and a gun battle here in eastern Sacramento County. The suspect, 20- year-old Joseph Ferguson, a laid off -- or rather suspended Burns security guard died apparently of a self-inflicted gunshot.

The citizen tip led police to this location at about 11:30 last night. Officers converged on Ferguson's car. A brief chase led to an a tense shootout, Ferguson firing as many as 50 rounds. A CHP officer and bystander were wounded.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LT. SAM SOMERS, SACRAMENTO POLICE: Upon seeing our units getting close to him, he immediately began a pursuit which ended into a gun battle between ourselves and him. And during that gun battle, the -- Mr. Ferguson, ultimately shot himself, which is what we believe right at this time, gave himself a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HATTORI: Now, all this took place after the suspect apparently killed a fifth victim yesterday, another former co-worker at Burns Security. Police believe Ferguson shot three other Burns Security guards, including ex-girlfriend Saturday night; plus, a city park employee was the fifth victim.

During yesterday's manhunt Ferguson made a videotape indicating he was not going to be taken alive, saying something to the effect he was going to go out in a blaze of glory.

Leon, I'm not sure there was any glory here in any of this, just the story of sad, tragic, very disturbed young man. His five victims and their families now grieving. Leon, back to you.

HARRIS: Thanks, James. And that's very understandable.

Let me ask you something quick, if I can, before we go here. The police have had time to talk to his other co-workers, any idea about why he may have been targeting them?

HATTORI: They're not sure why they targeted -- why he targeted specifically those people. Obviously, his girlfriend, he had broken up, he was distraught over that; she was one of the victims. As for the other Burns employees, they're just speculating as to the motive.

The one city employee who was killed apparently was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

HARRIS: Yes, thanks much.

James Hattori, reporting live this morning.

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