Man pleads guilty to factory shootings

A man with a history of mental illness pleaded guilty Monday to wounding four co-workers in a shooting at a factory that employs people with physical, mental and learning disabilities.

Jason Burnam, 24, testified in Marion Superior Court that he targeted the workers on Jan. 11 at Easter Seals Crossroads Industrial Services and aimed for their legs. All four survived.

"I waited for them to show up, and then I started shooting," Burnam testified.

Employees Jermaine Ealy, Anita Frazier and Howard Mallory were shot in a break room. The gunman then walked through the warehouse to an office and shot Cammie Duncan, Burnam's former supervisor.

Burnam, who had no criminal history, pleaded guilty to four counts of felony aggravated battery. The terms of the plea agreement set a maximum of 60 years in prison. Judge Carol Orbison will formally sentence him Aug. 2.

Burnam's mother, Judy Burnam, said after the shootings that her son had complained that some co-workers teased him about his size; he weighs more than 300 pounds. She also said he suffered from bipolar disorder and was diagnosed with schizophrenia but he was taking medication and seeing a counselor.

Police said Burnam told officers he fired the shots over issues of respect.

Duncan, 39, said after the hearing that she and the other employees still feel lingering effects of the shooting.

"I'm just glad to be alive," she said. "It could have been a lot worse."