Atlantis Plastics shooting

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2008 Atlantis Plastics shooting
Undated photo of Wesley Neal Higdon
LocationHenderson, Kentucky, U.S.
DateJune 25, 2008; 17 years ago (2008-06-25)
c. 12:20 a.m. (CDT)
Attack type
Mass shooting, murder-suicide, mass murder, Workplace shooting
WeaponHi-Point Model JHP .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol[1]
Deaths6 (including the perpetrator)
Injured1
PerpetratorWesley Neal Higdon

The 2008 Atlantis Plastics shooting was a mass shooting that took place in the early morning of June 25, 2008, at the Atlantis Plastics factory in Henderson, Kentucky, United States. Wesley Neal Higdon, a 25-year-old employee at the factory, shot and killed five people and critically injured a sixth person before committing suicide inside the factory.[2]The shooting is the worst in the history of Henderson County, Kentucky, in terms of casualties, surpassing triple homicides occurring in 1799 and 1955.[3]

Details

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The shooting started at approximately 12:20 am after the supervisor Kevin Taylor escorted Higdon out of the plant[4][5] and Higdon retrieved a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol from his car, fatally shot the supervisor outside of the door and went back into the factory where he went into the break room and fatally shot four more co-workers.[6] Higdon then fatally shot Joshua Hinjosa on the factory plant floor and critically injured another co-worker before fatally shooting himself in the head.[7][8]Subsequent reports indicate that Taylor had reprimanded Higdon twice before the shooting, once for talking on his cell phone too much and for not wearing safety glasses, then later for an altercation with co-worker Joshua Hinojosa at a convenience store across the street from the factory. In January of that year Higdon was disciplined for failing to report a broken towel rack in a restroom. Higdon had worked at the facility since late 2007 and had misdemeanor convictions for Marijuana possession and for Driving under the influence.[4]

The victims were all shot with a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol. Taylor was apparently shot by Higdon outside the factory, followed by four more workers in the factory's break room, and finally Hinojosa from behind on the factory floor.[9] Higdon then committed suicide. Henderson police said that the shooter, who had a reputation for being difficult, had argued with supervisor Kevin Taylor and was being escorted out of the factory by the supervisor. According to police, two hours before the shooting Higdon called his girlfriend and advised her was going to kill his boss at the factory. She did not inform anyone of the call.[10]

Victims

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Deceased

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  • Joshua Hinojosa, co-worker, 28, of Sebree
  • Trisha Mirelez, co-worker, 25, of Sebree
  • Israel Monroy, co-worker, 29, of Henderson
  • Kevin G. Taylor, supervisor, 40, of Dixon
  • Rachael Vasquez, co-worker, 26, of Sebree
  • Wesley Neal Higdon, gunman, 25 of Henderson

Injured

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  • Noelia Monroy, co-worker, of Higdon, sister of Israel, shot one time each in the arm, chest, and leg.[11][12]

References

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  1. ^ Driehaus (June 25, 2008). "Man in Kentucky Kills 5 Co-Workers". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  2. ^ Lenz, Ryan (June 25, 2008). "6 dead in Henderson, Ky., plastics plant shooting". Associated Press. Archived from the original on June 28, 2008.
  3. ^ Smith, Beth (June 26, 2008). "Rampage at Atlantis Plastics ends with six dead". Henderson Gleaner. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved June 26, 2008.
  4. ^ a b "Atlantis staff 'devastated' by shootings". Plastics News. January 7, 2013. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  5. ^ Folz, Rachel (June 25, 2008). "Update: Suspect and victims names released". WFIE. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  6. ^ Harvey, Scott (June 26, 2008). "Police say argument with supervisor led to deadly workplace shooting". WAVE. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  7. ^ Goldman, Russell (June 25, 2008). "Six Killed in Factory Shooting, Including Gunman". ABC News.
  8. ^ Conlon, Michael (June 25, 2008). "Six dead in Kentucky factory shooting". Reuters.
  9. ^ Boyett, Frank (June 26, 2008). "Shooting worst homicide here". Henderson Gleaner.
  10. ^ "Ky. gunman argued with boss before shooting". Cape Cod Times. Associated Press. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  11. ^ Driehaus, Bob (June 26, 2008). "Man Who Killed Five People in Kentucky Had Called Girlfriend Before Shooting". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 5, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  12. ^ Smith, Beth (July 18, 2008). "Plant shooting investigation winding down". Courier & Press. Retrieved January 26, 2025.