A DRIVER at a beer distribution company shot ten of his colleagues, killing eight, before turning the gun on himself at a workplace shooting in Connecticut.

Omar Thornton (34) had worked as a driver for two years, but had been caught on CCTV stealing company products and had been summoned to meet with his management and reps from his trade union.

Thompson was told at the meeting, scheduled for 7am when staff were changing shifts, that he would be sacked if he did not quit his job – but opened fire as he was being escorted from the building.

He shot, apparently indiscriminately, at his colleagues – there were between 50 and 70 in the building at the time – and wounded ten of them, eight of them fatally. His victims include fellow drivers, a company executive, and the president of his local union.

“He came in to meet with the company, and after that all hell broke loose,” union official John Hollis told the New York Times. “He pulled the gun and ran through the warehouse.”

Police were immediately called to the scene, where they found Thornton in an office.

“He was alive when police responded,” according to the local chief of police. “Police began clearing the building.

“He was funneled into an office area and took his own life. We don’t know if he walked around randomly shooting, but we do know we found victims throughout the building.”

Thornton had reportedly complained to his girlfriend of being racially abused at work. Union officials said he had not registered any such complaints.