Company and union officials played a video. He calmly watched images that purportedly showed him stealing from a truck.
Advertisement
He signed a resignation paper, was escorted out of the room and toward the door. He asked for a drink of water, company CEO Ross Hollander told CNN. Then, Thornton pulled out a handgun and began firing, officials said.
Within minutes, the gunman and eight other people were dead, and two people were wounded, according to Manchester police. Police swarmed to the scene, but never had a chance to talk with Thornton, who apparently shot himself to death in an office.