Image
© Unknown
Star - A man described by witnesses as a disgruntled worker opened fire Friday at a central North Carolina lumber company, killing three people and injuring one before shooting himself, local media reported.

Montgomery County Sheriff Dempsey Owens told WXII 12 that deputies were called to the McBride Lumber Company just after 6 a.m.

He said deputies found four people shot inside the business, three of whom died. One worker was airlifted to a hospital.

The suspect, who fled the scene, was identified by workers at the firm, allowing deputies to track him to his house, WFMY-TV reported.

Owens told WXII that the suspect had shot himself and was airlifted to a hospital. His condition was not immediately known.

Witnesses reported that the gunman was a disgruntled employee, the sheriff told WXII.

Owens said the the shooter left a note, but did not give the details of its contents, according to WFMY.

A man who answered the phone at the company confirmed that there was a shooting but would not give details, according to NBC News.

McBride Lumber Company is a second-generation family-owned business that was started in the 1950s, according to its website. The company specializes in the manufacture of custom pallets for a variety of businesses, including furniture, automotive, masonry and textile.

This is a developing news story.

NBC affiliate WXII 12 and msnbc.com staff contributed to this report.