Lauderdale County Sheriff Billy Sollie said the gunman, a Lockheed Martin employee, brought a shotgun and a semiautomatic rifle to the plant, where he opened fire. He killed five coworkers before turning the gun on himself. The sheriff would not release the gunman's name.
The shooting began about 10 a.m. today, and the victims were apparently chosen at random.
"We are not sure if those killed were friend or foe," Sollie told the Associated Press.
Lockheend Martin employs about 100 workers at the facility, which builds jet components. A statement released by Lockheed Martin confirmed the shooting deaths and indicated a number of other employees were injured.
"We are shocked and saddened by this tragedy and express our deepest sympathies to the families," said the statement. The company indicated it would cooperate with local and state law enforcement agencies in their investigations.