Dixie Pulp & Paper Responds After Murder-Suicide Monday

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Two people were killed in what police are viewing as a murder-suicide at the Dixie Pulp & Paper warehouse on Commerce Drive Monday night as the company and investigators both work to make sense of what happened.

Captain Jack Kennedy, commander of the multi-agency Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, said officers arrived on scene to find two men deceased in the parking lot after an apparent murder-suicide.

"The shooting was witnessed and also captured on video," Kennedy said in an update early Tuesday morning. "It is apparent that the shooter shot the victim multiple times, and then turned the gun on himself ... There is no reason to believe that there are any more suspects at large, or any ongoing danger to the public."

He then identified the two men as Demorius Mondreal Polke, 27, who was also named as the shooter and Sean Michael Barrett, 33. Kennedy also confirmed that both of the deceased men were employed at Dixie Pulp & Paper.

Barrett's mother confirmed to Patch that her son was a husband and father of one as authorities still piece together Monday's events.

An employee and eyewitness told Patch that the shooting occurred close to 11:30 p.m., which was shift change, when Barrett was reportedly ambushed by Polke and shot in the parking lot. Investigators had yet to publicly speculate on a motive as of Tuesday.

At the warehouse in the early morning hours Tuesday, investigators appeared to have their attention focused primarily on the plant's side parking lot. Evidence markers were visible near the middle of the lot and black barriers were erected near the curb to block view of at least one of the people killed.

Dixie Pulp & Paper sells secondary fiber and off-grade paper, board, tissue and pulp. The company has been headquartered in Tuscaloosa since 1981. Following the incident, a statement was released as the company said it was grieving the loss of two associates.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been affected by this tragic incident, including our team members as well as the family and friends of the victims," Dixie Pulp & Paper said in its official statement. "We will provide our employees with counseling and other resources as we all deal with the aftermath of Monday night’s fatalities."

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 (800)-273-8255.

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