As employees were arriving to work, John Robert Neumann Jr. walked into Fiamma through a rear door.
He opened fire, targeting five of his former coworkers at the business, which makes awnings for RVs and campers, before turning the gun on himself.
The “disgruntled” former employee reloaded his semi-automatic handgun at least once during the shooting spree, according to Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings.
He also carried at least two knives, one of which was a large hunting blade.
He appeared to target specific employees inside the business, leaving about eight others inside the large warehouse uninjured, and even pointing his gun at a new employee and ordering her to run when she walked into the business.
Demings said Neumann Jr., 45, had been fired back in April and had a “negative relationship” with one of the victims.
He said deputies don’t know why he chose Monday for his rampage.
“This individual made a deliberate thought to do this today. He had a plan of action,” Demings said.
Neumann Jr. is a veteran who was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1999. He had no family in the area and lived alone.
It does not appear that he had a concealed weapons permit, Demings said.
Neumann Jr. worked for the business for years before being fired in April. The reason for his termination is unclear.
In 2014, he was accused of battering another employee at the business. Deputies investigated but charges were never filed.
Check back for updates on this breaking-news story.
chayes@orlandosentinel.com, 407-420-5493 or Twitter: @journo_christal