Junction City Mayor Mick McCallister has confirmed that his brother Mitch McCallister, was not injured Thursday when a shooter opened fire at the Excel Industries factory where they worked in Hesston, Kansas.

Mitch McCallister was at the plant, when the shooter identified as Cedric Ford, went on a shooting rampage, killing three people and wounding others. Ford was eventually shot and killed by a police officer.

Mick McCallister said he was contacted by his brother Thursday evening saying he was okay, but it was a close call. The mayor was informed his brother was about 20 feet feet from Ford as he was shooting an assault-type rifle. “Took cover, sheltered in place at his work station, the guy went off down toward the office and was taken by security folks. He said he was close enough to see the smoke come out of the end of the barrel of the rifle.”

Mick McCallister said his brother was interviewed by the people at the plant, and then went home to be with his family.

Mick McCallister noted this type of incident hits close to home.  While it may not affect you at some other out of state location that’s not the case here. “When your brother calls and says that he’s okay after a mass shooting here in the state of Kansas it does hit home.”

Authorities say Cedric Ford wounded three people, before he stormed into the plant and shot 15 more, killing three of them.