MIRAMAR, Fla. – A man police say was involved in a mass shooting that left 3 dead in Kansas had a criminal record in Broward County that went back to the 90s, records show.
Cedric Larry Ford, 38, worked as a painter at the Excel Industries Plant in Hesston, north of Wichita, in south-central Kansas. He said he was from Miami on Facebook and records show he lived in Miramar until 2011.
Ford killed three and injured at least a dozen people, Harvey County Sheriff T. Walton said during a press conference. He was armed with a handgun and a rifle, Walton said.
"This is just a horrible incident here," Walton said.
Police received reports of shots fired about 5 p.m. There were three crime scenes involving Ford, Walton said. A police officer killed him about 5:30 p.m. Walton referred to the officer as a "hero." About 11 p.m., police were still at the mobile home where Ford lived.
Marty Pierce, who was working at the plant's welding shop, said during an interview with the Kansas City Star that Ford was "ready for destruction."
Employees told the Kansas City Star that the shooting started at the plant's paint line and everyone started running.
Records show Ford had a criminal history in Broward County. It included burglary and grand theft in 2004, fleeing from police in 2000, fleeing and eluding police in Pembroke Pines in 2000, and possession of burglary tools and prowling in Miramar in 1997.
A co-worker told a KWCH-TV reporter that Ford was a "nice guy" and a neighbor described him as a "good dad." He posted a video of himself shooting a rifle at a field last year. And earlier this week, Ford's update on Facebook: "Woke up this morning vibing God is good."
Assignment Desk Editor John Buckner contributed to this story.