Workplace Violence

still testing- hope this works

2011-10-17T15:44:00.001-04:00

hope that this will work.

testing the blog posts

2011-10-17T15:38:00.001-04:00

hope this works.

first file

2011-09-25T17:04:00.000-04:00

testing

Gun assault brings 2-4 year prison term for Holyoke man - MassLive.com

2008-07-17T23:20:00.000-04:00

Gun assault brings 2-4 year prison term for Holyoke man - MassLive.com

how can this be stopped? are you certain that what you are doing is worth your time and resources? how can we let this go on? there is sickness among us.

Man asks friend to shoot him to avoid work - Telegraph

2008-03-19T21:19:00.000-04:00

Man asks friend to shoot him to avoid work - Telegraph

I am not sure how to classify this one. Is it a co-worker shooting (III) or just plain stupidity. That must have been a very good friend to have helped in this way. I am glad he only got reckless endangerment. I wonder if he will file for workers comp.

Campus Assaut Simulation Traumatizes Witnesses

2008-02-27T21:44:00.000-05:00

UNC Officials 'Disappointed' in ECSU's Handling of Emergency Drill :: WRAL.com

Probably in response to the recent school shootings, UNC at Elizabeth State had a simulation drill of a gunman coming on to the campus, entering a classroom and threatened to kill some of the students.

It is unclear the level and detail of communication that went out those involved but clearly the professor and students were did not know the assault was just a drill.

While the authenticity of the student reaction would enhance the training experience of the responding officers, the risk of psychological damage and other adverse responses such as a heart attack or, in a worst case scenario, a student or by-stander may have actually shot the pretend assailant

There are clearly other ways to prepare for such a drill to reduce or eliminate the chance of emotional trauma. A clear description of what will occur before the event to those involved and a 5 minute, direct, verbal warning before entering the room and a chance for the witnesses to the meet the pretend assailant would reduce the potential impact.

After all, it was the responders who were being tested, not the students. Such surprise drills may have a role for the military and emergency responders but you can not expect (or have no way of expecting) the response of 18-21 yro students.

Professional, thoughtful responses welcomed.

Human Resource Executive Online - Story

2008-02-17T21:44:00.000-05:00

Human Resource Executive Online - Story

Please read this article and respond:

1- where is the balance between workplace security and equal rights?

2- what crimes are unforgiveable, automatic disqualification for employment?

3- what should be done?

It is a ironic that the one thing that can help turn a life around is a meaningful, good paying job and they can't get one.

Look for upcoming attorney seminars on the subject.

Instant National Database Searches

2008-02-11T16:43:00.000-05:00

A few days ago, a person posted a comment asking me about national, instant database that are developed by commercial operations. Please understand that I believe there is a purpose and use for such programs but I would not consider them to be very reliable. I have since found article that describes a study that the author did in assessing these databases.
BIS Research Exposes Holes in Instant Criminal Records Databases By Kevin Bachman

As I paraphrase from the article-
National Aggregated Databases are instant and inexpensive as they rely on various reporting agencies willingness to provide or sell data. Such sources can include corrections facilities, some county courthouses and some state sponsored sites.

Background Information Services, Inc. selected a database that had the most “shared” records.

Of 651 known criminals randomly selected, only 200 could even be searched by this database; those records are just not available to be shared. For example, most records in Illinois, Ohio, New York, California, Missouri, Texas, Maryland, Massachusetts and Michigan are not available.
Of the 200 known criminals, more than 35% missed significant issues completely: Assault. Sex Abuse of a Child. Forgery. Kidnapping. Aggravated Drug Trafficking. Breaking and Entering.
Of the records that actually were found, 50% of the known criminal hits contained incomplete or inconsistent information when compared to courthouse searches.
Lapse in time issue- many of the records in a “National Database” updated on a weekly, monthly, or even bi-annual basis.

Hostages at Work

2007-12-02T23:05:00.000-05:00

Last Friday, Leeland Eisenberg walked into Hillary Clinton's campaign office in NH with road flares strapped to his chest, demanding to speak to the candidate about the state of mental health services. About 5 hours later, he was arrested after releasing a handful of hostages.

If only all hostage situations could end this way. There are many cases where a person with a gun or bomb takes people hostage in the workplace. Some cases end violently, sometimes with only the perpetrator ending his or her own life.

There were two hostage situations that occurred at the same Caterpillar plant in Clayton, NC. Once in November 2004 and then again in January 2006. In both cases, it was a situation that stemmed from a domestic dispute involving violence against women.

On exactly how to survive these incidents can never be completely fool-proof but there are several key points that are emphasized often:
1. Stay as calm as you can. Panic will only lead to bad decisions and raising the anxiety of the hostage taker.
2. Do not try to disarm the hostage taker. Instigating an assault will raise the chances of you or another hostage getting hurt. If the event of shooting or immediate threat, respond quickly and decisively.
3. It is often easier to escape than to try to disarm the perpetrator(s).
4. Follow the instructions of the captors within reason. Do not be confrontational with them.
5. In the event of an Emergency Response Team (SWAT) intervention, stay low, do not rush towards them and follow their instructions.

More advice can be found at
Canadian Department of Corrections Report

Surviving Kidnapping While Traveling

State of Wyoming Powerpoint Presentation

Worker Call Deputies when Threaten and They Catch Him

2007-11-11T22:57:00.001-05:00

A worker makes a threat and is sent home. He then calls back to say some threatening things to his co-workers. They leave, call law enforcement and meet them at a gas station. That is where he is caught as he is coming in. No one was hurt.

It is unknown if anything would have happened if he was not caught. Maybe he was just coming to get his things as he claimed but it was the people who took it seriously that called for support.

Feel free to comment if you think he was planning to commit violence or how you would have handled the situation.

King County, WA Metro to Deny Benefits specifically to DV Victims

2007-10-23T08:21:00.000-04:00

In an clear act of discrmination, the Metro of King County, Washington has considered denying death benefits to only adminstration assistants if they die from domestic violence.
While there is a movement to provide specific support measures for victims such as non-discrimination in hiring decisions or special leave options, this is the first time I have read about a policy to specifically discriminate against domestic violence victims. Additionally, it is targeted only towards a specific position.

While it is unlikely that this provision will pass, it is outrageous considering the history of the city with the Police Chief murdering his wife just a few years ago.

Sex Offender sent as Service Man

2007-09-10T17:16:00.001-04:00

In this case of a service man sent to reface the cabinets of young woman, the news investigation team interviewed the woman, the employer and the offender. Earlier this year, Kelli L. asked Home Depot to remodel her home. It was discovered later that he was a registered sex offender with a lengthy record of assault.
Watch the video and comment in our survey link below. We will publish your responses in our next newsletter.

Please let us know your opinion and a little about your own organizational preparedness at this short survey.

Need for an accessible, accurate, comprehensive Background Check System

2007-05-01T22:31:00.000-04:00

There have been numerous articles and posts about how the VA Tech tragedy may have been prevented if the assailant had been prevented from purchasing firearms because of his mental health history. While there are various legislative bills and orders looking to remedy this loophole, the bigger issue of how criminal histories are compiled and accessed needs to be addressed.

The National Instant Criminal Background Check System does not contain a complete list of the crimes, civil trespass orders, arrests and mental health issues that some may consider it to be. According to their site, "The NICS is a national system that checks available records in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), Interstate Identification Index (III), and the NICS Index to determine if prospective purchasers are disqualified from receiving firearms."

The culprit appears to be the inconsistency of the different states in what they report and how. Some states do not provide complete information as even their database does not contain all the information available at their county level. Additionally, funding is needed to bring them into compliance with the federal regulation.

Unfortunately, it appears that it takes tragedies such as occurred in Blacksburg, VA to bring attention to the general population to motivate their representatives to make changes. We can only hope that the issue remains in the spotlight till the necessary laws and funding is put into place.

Criticism of Virginia Tech Security Response

2007-04-16T22:16:00.000-04:00

In regard to the horrible events that occurred today at Virginia Tech, I wanted to share a few observations. While the investigation is still underway and the details of the tragedy are still largely unknown, some in the press have started the arm-chair quaterbacking routine.
There are so many experts being called and quoted that will point out everything that the security team did wrong. As the news at this moment describe two separate shooting incidents and much of the criticism has focused on the warnings provided to students after the first attack, the lack of a lock-down response and the ensuing investigation.
Every emergency situation can be handled better after given the time and respite for reflection. Emergency and crisis planning is crucial and as the details of the incident unfold, there will be mistakes identified. But if we are to assign blame, it falls squarely on the individual who allegedly chose to avoid responsibility by killing himself.
It is this knee-jerk response to find fault and for the appetite of the press to find people who want to distinguish themselves as "experts", that we criticize those who were trying their best, using the resource and knowledge they had at the time, to save lives. I pray that there are no lawsuits that spawn from this tragedy.

Stalking at Work- Who can respond?

2007-01-08T09:35:00.000-05:00

In this month’s e-newsletter, we feature the issue of stalking in the workplace. As this crime focuses narrowly on one individual, the question emerges on who and how should the situation be handled. What can the targeted individual do and what are the responsibilities of the employer and more importantly, what should be done when there is a conflict of opinion.
Very often, especially in domestic violence cases, the victim does not want to take legal action against the perpetrator. There are a myriad of reasons for this stance and perhaps in another entry we can discuss those reasons but the point is that often the employer and employee may be in conflict on how to handle the situation.
In terms of legal issues, only the actual victim or target of the crime can take out the criminal charges such as Communicating Threats or Stalking (while states vary, all have similar statutes for these crimes). While a Law Enforcement officer can charge someone with these crimes, it often requires the support and approval of the victim. They are the one who suffers from the action. However, employers can take out charges such as Trespassing (as it is their property) or even Telephone Harassment (as it their phone being called).
In terms of restraining orders, the commonly known domestic violence restraining order can only be taken out by the person (employee) who has to want utilize this relief. An employer cannot obtain this type nor can they “persuade” an employee to obtain one. In Gavin de Becker’s acclaimed book, "The Gift of Fear", he describes the Laura Black case of the mid-1980’s where Richard Farley killed 7 workers at the ESL Corporation. He alleges that Black did not want to get the restraining order against Farley and it was just before the court date of that order when the tragic assault occurred.
However, there has been the growth of workplace restraining orders (pdf) where employers can obtain one against a stalker but just as it pertains to the workplace. In many of these laws, there are requirements to inform the targeted employee but they do not need their permission.
Naturally, it is the best option is when the employer and employee communicate and come up with a plan together to ensure the safety of everyone. However, when there is a disagreement, every party has to take the action that they believe is best. For employers, it is prudent to take the victim’s concerns into their assessment. They are often “the experts” in surviving this perpetrator. And they should never make it a condition of employment that they victim take any legal course of action. This heavy-handed approach is sure to discourage disclosure and communication. This not to say that employer is without options or the right to secure the workplace. A thorough investigation should be made and appropriate measure taken to meet any potential threat.
Your views and experience in this issue are welcome.

8/24/06 Essex, VT Man Shoots 2 Co-Workers of Ex-Girlfriend at School

2006-09-04T21:43:00.000-04:00

Christopher A. Williams, a 26-year-old bakery worker, allegedly set out to kill his ex-girlfriend but shot two of her co-workers instead. The shootings began around 2 p.m., when Williams showed up at the home he shared with ex-girlfriend Andrea Lambesis and her mother, Linda Lambesis, 57. Williams shot the elder woman to death, then went to Essex Elementary School where the daughter was working. There were no students but there were about 39 staffers were preparing for the new school year. Williams did not find his ex-girlfriend but he did shoot two of her co-workers instead, fatally shooting teacher and wounding employee. He fled that scene and shot a acquaintance but as police closed in, he shot himself twice in the head. He survived and has been charged with the crimes.

Texas DOT Worker Makes Terroristic Threats

2006-09-04T21:41:00.000-04:00

Terrance Anthony Murray, 38, a former TX Dept. of Transportation employee. allegedly had a detailed a plan to shoot a number of people at his office. According to an arrest warrant, Murray told a human resources employee that "he was collecting an arsenal at home and was having recurring thoughts about getting even with employees who had hurt him." He also stated that he is paranoid and thinks that everyone is out to get him.

8/25/07 Lafeyette, LA Man Kills Ex-Girlfriend at Victoria's Secret

2006-09-01T16:05:00.000-04:00

Nathan O'Neil Jr., 21 killed Sherika Broussard, 21, as she was at work inside the Victoria's Secret at the Mall of Acadiana. She was in store's stockroom at 5:30 p.m. when O’Neil entered with a handgun and shot her to death. He was found shortly afterward in a vehicle parked near the entrance to the mall. When officers ordered the man to stop, he pulled out a weapon. Officers opened fire and O'Neil died at the scene. The relationship between O'Neil and Broussard recently had ended but he had frequented the store before the shooting.

8/29/07 Kranskop, South Africa Worker Killed after Being Accused of Stealing

2006-09-01T15:54:00.000-04:00

After Wonder Ntiza Dube’s body was found on La Mercy Beach, showing severe injuries to his head and body, his employer, a 39-year-old man, and four others aged between 18 and 27, are expected to appear court in connection with the incident. police were investigating allegations that Dube had been assaulted after being accused of theft at 2 pm on 8/29/07 and that was the last time he was seen. Angry residents in the community reportedly went on the rampage the next day and businesses on the main road in the village were forced to close as a mob demanded to see Dube's employer.

DC Union of Youth Rehab Workers Call for Resignation of Agency Director

2006-09-01T15:47:00.000-04:00

The Department of Youth Rehabilitation Service (DYRS) employees in the largest labor union of District of Columbia has publicly called for the resignation of the Agency's director, Vincent Sheraldi. The Chairman of the District of Columbia Fraternal Order of Police DYRS Labor Committee disclosed a litany of problems which included safety and security issues, particularly at the Oak Hill facility in Laurel, Maryland and the Mt.
Olive facility in Washington, D.C. The agency is charged with the care and
rehabilitation of the Districts' youth offenders, who have been referred to
the agency through the Districts' court system.
Citing internal union projections, Adams stated, "that each year
approximately twenty-five percent of the members at Oak Hill and Mt. Olive
facilities are injured on the job as a result of assaults." Within the two last weeks DYRS workers were assaulted, with one employees requiring hospitalization. That employee, a female worker, was choked by a resident.
"We have no comprehensive safety program for DYRS employees, and it was
not until our union filed a lawsuit in 2003 that we were able to secure,
through court order, even the most basic protections against bloodborne
pathogens such as HIV and HBV," said Adams.

8/31/07 Murfreesboro, TN Man Shoots Ex-Wife at Veterinarian in Front of Co-Workers

2006-09-01T15:37:00.000-04:00

Joseph "Joe" Karl Rizzo, 40, used a handgun to shoot and kill his estranged wife, Susan "Sue" Marie Rizzo, 29, and himself in the morning at her workplace, a veterinarian clinic. She was separated from him and was living with her mother.
The victim arrived at the office before 7 a.m. when the business opens. Her husband appeared to be following her, two co-worker witnesses told police. He told the witnesses to leave but they thought he was joking. The coworkers walked into the back of their office when the husband said he was serious. Then, the victim was heard to cry “Oh my God,” and she ran into the holding area as they tried to hold the door closed. The assailant pushed his way in. As the victim ran out, the assailant fired a shot as she was entering the hallway. She dropped, and he stood over her firing more shots. The husband then allegedly stepped into the hall, and shot himself.

7/17/06 Seattle, WA Health Clinic Worker Stabbed by Client

2006-08-17T16:14:00.000-04:00

Marilyn Ulicia Walker, 44 stabbed healthcare worker, Maritza Rios-Dowe without any apparent provocation. Rios-Dowe, who worked with new mothers and pregnant women at the clinic, said the woman was sitting next to one of her clients. She sought out a co-worker to discuss the strange woman, but when she couldn't find her, she went to her desk. Soon afterwards, Walker appeared at her desk, produced a butcher knife from a bag and said, “I will teach you something”. Walker then began to stab the worker repeatedly, including in both eyes, which led to permanent blindness. Walker left after the attack but was picked up minutes later as she walked down Fourth Avenue, still carrying a butcher knife. She told police she blacked out and didn't remember the assault. There was a history of violence in her past. In 1998, Walker attacked an assistant bank manager who asked for her identification when she tried to cash a check. In 2001, she doused a tax preparer with gasoline, intending to set him on fire because he could not complete her tax return. She was foiled because she could not find any matches.

7/8/06 Dallas, TX Real Estate Agent Found Stabbed in Model Home

2006-08-17T16:09:00.000-04:00

Sarah Anne Walker, a real estate agent working alone, was brutally murdered with a knife in the middle of the day. She was found at 1:30 p.m., by a couple that was visiting the show home. They found Ms. Walker’s fully clothed body face down in the kitchen. McKinney police think she had been killed around noon. She was stabbed 27 times all over her upper body with many defensive wounds. “There was a pretty brutal crime scene in the bottom part of the model home,” he said. “There was a struggle throughout the downstairs.” There are no identified suspects in the case.

Canadian Bus Drivers Vulnerable to Attack

2006-08-09T16:17:00.000-04:00

In latest in a surge of assaults on Lower Mainland bus drivers, union leaders say that the transit system continues to boil over with problems. In recent years, there has been an average of 180 assaults on drivers annually. This year, 100 assaults were reported from January to June, setting a pace for more than 200 this year. The latest assault took place about noon, when a 31-year-old man was unable to pay the complete fare. He was told to get off the bus, after which he threw a handful of change into the 57-year-old driver's face and then punched him. This year also saw one of the most vicious attacks on a driver in the history of Coast Mountain, which employs 2,600 drivers. The 57-year-old driver was bitten and beaten unconscious about 6 a.m. on May 6 in Coquitlam. The driver has no plans to return to work in the near future.

8/2/06 Anchorage, AK Employee Pulls Trigger on Boss with Empty Gun

2006-08-09T12:44:00.000-04:00

She was called into a meeting at Providence Extended Care Clinic where she works to discuss work-related issues. Her boss and the manager of human affairs wanted her to submit to a Fitness for Duty Exam before her next scheduled shift. According to testimony, Clifton was told that she was not to come back to work till a later date. She then reached into her purse, pulled out a handgun and basically pushed it up to the chest of her male supervisor and pulled the trigger. The chamber of the handgun was empty so the gun did not fire. Clifton was arraigned and charged with attempted murder in the first degree and assault in the third degree.

UK Bank Employee Awarded over $1.5 Million in Bullying Case

2006-08-03T15:51:00.000-04:00

Helen Green, 36, was awarded £817,317 in damages due to the harassment and persecution she faced at her workplace. Judge Mr Justice Owen ruled that her bosses at Deutsche Bank “closed their eyes” to the “relentless campaign of mean and spiteful behaviour.” Green, who earned £45,000 a year, said she was picked on by four women in the firm’s secretariat division and “stonewalled” from day one. After nine weeks, they filed into an office where she was and Daniella Dolbear asked: “What’s that stink over there?” while covering her nose. This was the “department from hell” with co-workers seeing her as competition in a Darwinian-style “survival of the fittest”, according to the judge. The victim stated, “There was one time when I was walking over to the stationery cupboard and she was blowing raspberries with every step.” Finally, she had two breakdowns and was in hospital on suicide watch before leaving the bank in October 2001.

5/23/2006 UK Hair Dresser Killed at Door of Salon

2006-08-02T10:28:00.000-04:00

Brian Whitfield, 44, is charged with the murder of Sharon Bell. She was found with stab wounds in the doorway of the New York hair salon as she arrived for work. As she opened the shop, she suffered a horrific attack from Whitfeld who used a sharp weapon and subsequently left. He said he did not believe recent vandal attacks on her car were linked to the murder. She had left him 6 months earlier but had experience multiple harassment and acts of vandalism. The Friday before, we car windows were smashed.

5/22/2006 Kansas City, MO Legal Secretary Killed by Ex at Front Door

2006-08-02T10:19:00.000-04:00

Lisa Slaughter was killed at the front door of the law office as she arrived for work. The assailant, here ex-boyfriend killed himself shortly after the slaying. He fled the scene but was later pulled over by law enforcement officers. He then shot himself with a handgun. “It’s a shock,” co-workers said. “Lisa was a sweet girl ... very skilled, very good attitude, very good work ethic.”

7/15/2006 Port St. Lucie, FL Sex Offender Kills Young Woman at Smoothie Shop

2006-08-02T10:13:00.002-04:00

Scott David Uslan, 42 shot and killed Brittany Carleo, 17 just days after authorities were preparing a stalking warrant for his arrest. Uslan was the father of her former boyfriend but there was a sexual relationship that developed between the two with several encounters in a local motel. Carleo tried to end the relationship. That is when Uslan began making harassing calls at her workplace, the Tropical Smoothie Café. On July 11, Carleo came to Port St. Lucie police and spoke with Steinkraus about harassing phone calls Carleo was receiving at her work between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Uslan was arrested on July 13, although he was quickly released on bail. On the 15th, at about, 9:15 am, he arrived to shoot her and then himself with a .357 Magnum. Uslan was a registered sex offender.

6/2/2006 San Diego, CA Man Accidentally Shoots Co-Worker with AK-47 While Showing it Off

2006-08-02T10:13:00.001-04:00

Rosendo Adam-Garcia, 42, accidently shot a 17 year old co-worker at Fleet Supply auto shop. Adam-Garcia brought the weapon to work and apparently was showing it off. The victim was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The owner of the gun was charged with several violations.

7/12/2006 Northhampton, NC Murder Defendant Shots Deputy after Hearing Ruling

2006-08-02T10:13:00.000-04:00

An inmate, 37-year-old Willie Forrest, grabbed a correctional officer's gun and shot the officer around 9:20 a.m. Forrest was there for a hearing on a murder charge. According to the sheriff, Forrest didn't agree with the judge's ruling, became aggravated and started cursing at the judge. When authorities tried to subdue him, there was a struggle and that's when Forrest grabbed the gun from an officer and fired. In response, other deputies shot Forrest and he died on the way to the hospital. The officer whose gun was taken was being treated at the hospital for a gunshot to the arm or shoulder and was in good condition.

5/16/2006 Harrisonburg, VA Man Kills 2 Co-Workers- Survivors Lawsuit at $10.35 million

2006-08-02T10:12:00.002-04:00

Brewer Hoover Jr., 65, shot and killed Gary Gibson, 54 and Bonnie Crump, 54. It was about 8 a.m, when Hoover took a .38-caliber revolver and a .40-caliber semi-automatic weapon to the American HomePatient retail store where they worked, barricaded himself in the store and started shooting. Hoover reported to work then shot Gibson from behind as he was sitting at his desk. Crump arrived shortly afterward and Hoover shot her several times as co-workers tried to save her. Allegedly, Brewer held a false belief that Crump and Gibson, who were married to other people, were having an extramarital affair with each other. Hoover, the suits claim, confronted Crump in March, shouting and shaking his first at her, and continued his erratic behavior. Crump avoided contact with Hoover, was afraid to go to the restroom alone and kept a cane by her desk to defend herself against him, the suits state. During the short standoff with the negotiation team, he said was he was upset and he was afraid he was going to be fired. Each family is suing the Hoover’s estate and the company for a combined amount in excess of 20 million. Before the shooting, the lawsuits say, employees at the business told company officials that Hoover was acting in an "erratic and threatening manner" toward Crump, a co-worker he was infatuated with. Each filing seeks $10 million compensation for pain and suffering and $350,000 as punishment for alleged failure to provide a safe work environment.

7/21/2006 Memphis, TN Grocery Store Clerk Knifes 7 Co-workers

2006-08-02T10:12:00.001-04:00

Elartrice 'Marcell' Ingram allegedly stabbed seven co-workers at the Cordova Schnucks on 9025 U.S. 64 before he was apprehended in the parking lot. The seafood clerk also is alleged to have threatened to stab another co-worker, while another employee was hospitalized with heat-related symptoms. While initial police reports state that the attack apparently stemmed from a work dispute, later reports stated that there were no issues with his conduct or work relations. Ingram, chasing one victim into the store‘s parking lot, was subdued by Chris Cope, manager of a financial services office in the same small shopping center. Cope was carrying a liscened firearm and pulled it out when he saw the stabbing. "When he turned around and saw my pistol, he threw the knife away, put his hands up and got on the ground," Cope told The Associated Press. "He just kept saying, ‘I‘m insane. I wish I was never born‘ and that kind of stuff," Cope said. Police said two large kitchen knives used in the attack were found at the scene. Co-workers, a neighbor and a former high school classmate who knew Ingram expressed surprise at what he is accused of doing. Seafood department manager Justin Murchison, who was cut but was released from the hospital, said there were no signs of trouble when he and Ingram arrived at work that morning. "We both came in at 8 and everything seemed fine." Murchison, 27, was stabbed on top of his head and on his left forearm. He said Ingram was someone who always came in and went about his work. "He was never in any trouble and never caused any problems," Murchison said.

7/24/2006 – Las Vegas, NV Doctor Shot by Patient with No Warning

2006-08-02T10:12:00.000-04:00

Doctor Avi Ostrowsky says he was getting up to leave the examination room of his Mountain View Hospital when all of a sudden he heard several bangs, saw on the opposite wall bloodstains and then smelled the gunpowder. After a few seconds, he realized he'd been shot. The man who shot doctor Ostrowsky was one of his long-time patients, 74 year old Karl Edeen. The doctor, a 55 year old endocrinologist, was hit in the neck, jaw and shoulder. One bullet was lodged dangerously close to his spine. When doctor Ostrowsky started walking towards him, Edeen killed himself. Police say they found a suicide note in Edeen's pocket in which the shooter complained about bad doctors in Nevada. Edeen had been Ostrowsky's patient for almost 10 years and never threatened him before.

7/28/06 Seattle, WA Mentally Disturbed Man Attacks Jewish Federation

2006-08-02T10:11:00.000-04:00

30-year-old Naveed Afzal Haq, a U.S.-born man of Pakistani descent allegedly killed one woman and injured five during a shooting spree at the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle. The suspect claimed he was "angry at Israel" and upset over the conflict in the Middle East. He also had a history of mental illness. He has had several run-ins with the law over the years, and was charged in March with lewd conduct after he allegedly exposed himself to a young woman at a mall in Kennewick, Wash. He has appeared in court in a dispute over unemployment benefits and had flunked out of dental school and had difficulty holding down a job. Apparently after the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict began, Haq reportedly purchased two semiautomatic handguns from separate shops in the Kennewick area. The sequence of events leading up to the shooting suggests Haq carefully planned his attack and carried it out calmly. First, he allegedly found his target on the Internet, reportedly by searching for "something Jewish," according to Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske. Haq allegedly purchased the handguns after waiting the five days mandated by Washington state law, meaning he made a deliberate effort to obtain weapons -- and had nearly a week to plan, or reconsider, the attack. According to a family lawyer, Haq had attempted to own a gun before, but his mother reportedly took it away from him because of his condition. Just hours before the shootings, a Seattle police officer ticketed Haq for being illegally parked, later saying Haq did not exhibit suspicious behavior or otherwise arouse the officer's suspicion. After that, Haq allegedly waited outside the Jewish center behind a potted plant near the door. He then waited for a young girl with access to the building to open the door before taking her hostage, forcing his way in. Once inside, Haq allegedly began shooting randomly, hitting six women - one fatally.

7/30/2006 Wolf Laurel, N.C. Elderly Man Shots Paramedic While Being Helped from Car

2006-08-02T10:03:00.000-04:00

Joseph Boyer Candler Jr, 68, allegedly shot a Madison County paramedic while she was helping him out of a car. Tami Stephen was shot once in the chest with a .22-caliber pistol. Emergency workers responded to a call that said an individual was losing consciousness due to intoxication at the a Country Club. Candler's wife asked emergency workers to follow her as she drove him home and help her get Candler to their house. While helping Joseph Candler out of the vehicle, he pulled a pistol out of his pants pocket and fired one shot into Stephen's chest. A volunteer fireman grabbed the gun and restrained him before any more shots could be fired. Authorities said they also found a Colt .380-caliber handgun and two clips in Candler's vehicle.

5/19 Houston, TX Man Shoots Two, Killing One in Steel Manufacturing Plant

2006-05-22T17:15:00.000-04:00

Miguel Soria, 25, charged with capital murder in connection with the shooting deaths of two coworkers at a southeast Houston manufacturing plant. According to reports, he appeared to be drunk when he walked into the workplace at 7:30 p.m. and confronted two men. Soria then pulled out a handgun, shot both men numerous times and then fled the scene. As of this post, he is still on the loose.

5/16 Phoenix, AZ Murder of Co-worker May have been Gang Related

2006-05-22T17:12:00.000-04:00

A 20-year-old man, a new worker at Fortune Plastics of Arizona Inc was accused of killing a co-worker during a dispute. Investigators believe that is a possible gang-related slaying as "gang verbiage" was exchanged before the victim was shot dead. The gunman then ran outside the business, carjacked a pickup truck and fled. He was spotted late that night and in an exchanged gunfire with officers, was killed.

5/16 Chicago, IL Worker Kills CEO after Poor Performance Review

2006-05-19T22:52:00.000-04:00

Tom Tuduj is charged with murdering the CEO of a construction firm as he stabbed him to death in his office. Tuduj was hired several months ago but came to work in the morning enraged over a poor job review given the day before. Taking a knife from the office kitchen, he stabbed the president of the company till other co-workers were able to restrain him. Another worker received minor injuries.

5/17 Frederick, WVA Woman Escorted to Car by Co-Worker Witnesses Shooting

2006-05-19T22:41:00.000-04:00

While this case did not occur at work, the proximity must be noted. A man, not yet identified, had gone to his wife's workplace looking for her but her co-workers told him that she was not available. He then left. Fearing for her safety, the woman asked a co-worker to walk her to her car parked nearby. That is when she encountered her husband at the car. As the co-worker stood across the street as the husband and wife talked. It soon became an argument with another witness stating that she shouted, “I don’t want to be with you anymore”. The man grabbed her by the neck as he threatened her with a .38 revolver. An officer walking near by heard the commotion and came over, ordering him to drop the weapon. The assailant shot his wife and fired the gun at the officer. When the officer returned fire, the husband shot and killed himself.

5/18 British Columbia, Stabbing Turns Deadly at Cabinet Making Firm

2006-05-19T22:40:00.000-04:00

Gurpal Brar, 27 is charged with murder after he assaulted a co-worker. Both worked at a cabinet-making firm when an argument broke out between the two. The police were called to the business around 1 p.m. The victim was taken to the hospital seriously hurt from a stabbing. The 30 year old victim later died at the hospital.

Harrisburg, VA 5/16 Worker Kills Two, Then Self at Medical Supply Store

2006-05-19T22:31:00.000-04:00

Brewer Hoover Jr., 65, an employee of the American HomePatient medical supplies retail store killed two fellow workers early in the morning when store opened. Three other workers managed to escape with out being inured. Hostage negotiators and SWAT officers responded to the shootings after the gunman barricaded himself in the building. After talking for a short time over the telephone, he allegedly claimed that he was being fired. The company denies this statement. when communication stopped, the SWAT team closed in and the gunman then shot himself. The case has been closed, with no motive identified.

5/5/06 Window Rock, NM Social Services Client Makes Bomb Threat

2006-05-13T21:15:00.000-04:00

A social services client threatened in the afternoon that he would blow up the office and that he was going to return with a gun, with intentions of using it on the staff. The client’s children are receiving the services of the agency. “He was very upset because he was told to get treatment,” said the director of the agency. Staff notified police but the man left. Authorities are unable to locate him at this time. The worker who received the threat has taken time off after being traumatized by the event.

5/4 Obrien, FL Coworker Shoots Other with Gun from Car

2006-05-13T21:09:00.000-04:00

Kenneth James McFatten, 44, allegedly shot and wounded a man in the wrist and shoulder. It was the end of his shift at work when he got in an argument with the victim. McFatten went to his truck, got a .25-caliber handgun, and shot once or twice just to the side of the victim, hitting the ground. The two began to wrestle when the gun went off, striking the victim. According the victim, they had been arguing but that McFatten did not mean to shoot him. McFatten stated that the two were playing.

Scottish Study Finds Hostility has Increased in Small/Medium Businesses

2006-05-08T23:10:00.000-04:00

An Insurance agency, Zurich, conducted a study of small and medium-sized businesses in Scotland where they found some disturbing trends.
•More than 35% of have fallen victim to abusive and threatening behavior
•55% have experienced anti-social behaviour from customers, colleagues and the general public
•Two in 10 employees said they had been intimidated at work
•7% experienced actual physical assault
•A third considered the threat of abuse and physical assault to be greater than it was five years ago
Why?
•Three in 10 said they felt the reason for the increase in anti-social behavior was people being less caring, and more impatient and hostile.

5/2 Beacon, NY Corrections Officer Stabs Co-worker/Husband in Face with Pen

2006-05-08T23:01:00.000-04:00

David Corso and Joann Corso were a married couple who both worked at the Beacon Correction Facility, a minimum-security prison for women. The fight between the husband and wife began around 8 a.m. and ended when Joann Corso stabbed her husband in the face with a pen, all in front of several inmates who witnessed the incident. The wife was charged and both Corsos have been suspended without pay, pending disciplinary action.

5/2 Redlands, CA Dollar Store Ex-employee Returns to Shoot Manager and Customer

2006-05-08T22:57:00.000-04:00

Kenneth Savastano, 44, entered the discount store shortly after its 8 a.m. opening and approached the manager near a back office. As he was wielding a .38-caliber revolver, the manager fled toward the front of the store but was shot through the leg. A by-stander, a 56-year-old woman who was shopping nearby, was also shot in the arm. Another female employee locked herself in a back room to call 911.Savastano then drove away but was soon found and arrested at his apartment complex. A spokesperson said that Savastano worked at the Redlands store for three years before being terminated last week.

5/8 Bossier City, LA Husband Shoots Wife Outside Retirement Home

2006-05-08T22:14:00.000-04:00

Rickey Gipson, 50, is accused of shooting Donna Gipson, 38, outside her workplace at a retirement home. The shooting happened about 8 a.m. where the victim worked in the laundry. The two were allegedly arguing in the parking lot when she turned and went back in. He pulled a handgun and shot her in the head.
He was arrested without incident a short time later at his mother's house in Shreveport. Police records indicate that they had been to the couple's house half a dozen times.

4/24 Kansas City, MO Boss Saves Employee from Assault

2006-04-25T23:09:00.000-04:00

A 45-year-old woman was near her car in the parking lot of your workplace during the lunch break when she was assaulted. The assailant attached her with a knife with a blade which reportedly was at least 6 inches long. She was stabbed in the torso and suffered serious injuries. As she screamed, the victim's boss stepped in and scared the assailant away. The suspect, who may be the woman's boyfriend, fled the parking lot in his SUV. The man was later taken to a hospital after a possible suicide attempt.

4/19 Brownsville, TX DOT Workers Assaulted by Construction Biz Owner

2006-04-25T23:07:00.000-04:00

Ballenger Construction Co. owner Joe Charles Ballenger allegedly assaulted two senior DOT workers, a regional chief inspector and an engineer as they were inspecting a highway construction project. They had just reopened a closed traffic lane when Ballenger approached them, angry about the reopening of the lanes and then reportedly grabbed the engineer by his shirt collar and pushed him down to the ground.

7/30/2004 Reno, NV Man Sentenced for Attempted Murder and Kidnapping from Wal-Mart

2006-04-11T13:47:00.000-04:00

Richard William Martin was sentenced to a maximum of 10 years on a second-degree kidnapping charge and 15 years on an attempted murder charge. According to testimony, Martin confronted his estranged wife in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart, where she worked, and began arguing about a relationship she was having with another man. He threw her in the car, the whole time saying to her 'I'm going to kill you' and 'Do you wanna die? He headed east on the interstate at speeds that topped 80 mph before exiting. When he hit the off-ramp's guard rail, "he was going so fast that they went flying in the air, flipped and landed on the other side of eastbound 80," Greco said. "It was only by the grace of God that she wasn't hurt." Martin suffered a head injury and was in a coma for several months. He was arrested in October 2004 after he regained consciousness.

3/13 Victoria, TX Child Protective Services Director Found Dead after Threats at Work

2006-04-11T13:46:00.000-04:00

3/13 VICTORIA, Texas
Sally Blackwell, 53, was reported missing after she didn't show up for work. A family member said her stepmother had spoken of threats she'd received as a program director for Child Protective Services and that she was scared for her life. According to a spokesman for the state Department of Family and Protective Services, a March 8 incident involved a couple who came in to the office and asked to speak to Blackwell. "The two people raised their voices and eventually left," he said. "They made some disparaging remarks about Sally, I don't know if it could be actually described as a threat. It did cause the people here in the office to remind all employees about security." Police discovered the her over a barbed wire fence near a county road into a rose hedge. Autopsy results showed that she had been strangled. There are other leads in the case aside from clients.

3/22 Selmer, TN Woman Kills Pastor Husband in Church

2006-04-06T22:38:00.000-04:00

Mary Winkler, 32, is charged with shooting her pastor husband Matthew Winkler, 31, to death in the church parsonage. His body was found in the parsonage after he didn't show up for an evening service. Dr. Bruce Levy, the state medical examiner, told CNN's Larry King that the minister was killed by a single shotgun wound to the back, fired from a range of "a couple to a few feet." Mary Winkler was found the next day in Orange Beach, Ala., with the children, who are now with their grandparents. Authorities have declined to disclose a motive.

3/16 Everett, WA Man Triee to Kill Girlfriend at Convenience Store, Kills Self Instead

2006-04-06T22:36:00.000-04:00

A man shot at a woman outside an Everett convenience store before turning the gun on himself, just before 11 o'clock when police responded to a reported shooting at the AM-PM Mini Mart. According to a witness, “The woman know the guy. I can see some problems, you know?" Alce said. "The woman tell the guy, 'Don't follow me. If no, I gonna call the police.' And the guy take off and the woman tell me, 'Oh, this guy was following me in Safeway and now in this store. The man left but came back right away. "I see the guy coming back and before he get to the door, he pulled a gun. The intended victim and another employee ran and locked themselves inside the store office. The gunman then went back outside and fired multiple shots into a Mercury Mystique owned by his intended target. The man then reloaded his weapon and re-entered the store. After about an hour and a half of no contact with the suspect, police entered the store to find the gunman had fatally shot himself.

Berryville, VA Woman Has Boyfriend's Brake Lines Cut on Work Vehicle

2006-04-06T22:35:00.000-04:00

Deborah Kay Stout, 43, guilty of the first-degree murder of her boyfriend, Frank B. Owens III, and recommended on Thursday that she be sentenced to life in prison. Though he was murdered at home on July 12, 2004, she was also convicted of conspiracy to commit malicious wounding for a June 2004 incident in which the brake lines on Owens’ work vehicle were intentionally cut.

3/29 Ventura County Star, CA Man Commits Suicide at Work

2006-04-06T22:34:00.000-04:00

Jack Charles Huston, 52, entered 50's Boy at 709 Cochran St. about 1:55 p.m. Wednesday and barricaded himself inside the building. Huston had a firearm when he entered the business and said he was having personal and financial problems, police said. The owner of the business, who is Huston's brother, and three employees left the building before Huston shot himself. Police entered about 4 p.m. after hearing a gunshot and found Huston alone inside.

3/17 Port Gibson, Miss Man Kills Attorney Years After Losing Job Due to Sex Harrassment

2006-04-06T22:31:00.000-04:00

Carl Brandon, 52 is accused of committing a shooting rampage that killed the an attorney and injured a county employee. Brandon, who had been fired as Claiborne County road manager in 1997, is accused of killing board of supervisors' attorney Allen Burrell and wounding county administrative assistant Loretha Porter between about 8 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. Brandon then surrendered at the sheriff's department about 8:30 a.m. Apparently, the deadly shooting rampage was the culmination of years of anger and frustration over what the shooter believed to be false accusations of sexual harassment. "I don't know how you can consider me a danger. I was made a criminal through the system … The sexual harassment charges made against me were trumped up, yet the system allowed the board of supervisors to take them and run with them,” Brandon said in court.

3/15 Pismo Beach, CA Man Shoots Customers at Dennys in Random Act of Violence

2006-04-06T22:29:00.000-04:00

Lawrence Edward Woods, a 60-year-old heavyset handyman walked into a Denny’s restaurant on a shooting rampage that left him and two others dead. His neighbors state that he suffered from mental problems and two neighbors said two couples moved out because of Woods’ paranoia. Two men died in Woods’ noon shooting spree: Frank Valesquez, 64, and Harold Hatley, 73, both of Grover Beach. Coroner’s investigators said Woods and Hatley died of cranial cerebral trauma caused by a gunshot wound to the head. Valesquez bled to death after suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg that struck his femoral artery.

3/11 Schenectady NY Man Robs Co-Worker who Kept Savings at Work

2006-04-06T22:28:00.000-04:00

Police say the alleged shooter was downstairs resident Jason Bronson--who works at Louis Petraccione and Sons Plumbing had allegedly robbed a co-worker David Thompson. After allegedly forcing Thompson at gunpoint from his motel room and to their workplace where Thompson kept his life’s savings in a vault. Bronson forced the victim to give him the money and then fled with an estimated 35,000 dollars in cash. Police later found Bronson at home, smoking crack.

3/10 Jackson, TN Woman Shoots Rest Stop Employee- Motive Unknown

2006-04-06T22:26:00.000-04:00

A woman suspected of being involved in the shooting of an Interstate 40 rest stop employee was captured in a home. The incident started with a shooting at about 4 a.m. that left a rest stop employee with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. The 46-year-old man, whose name has not been released, was later airlifted to The Regional Medical Center in Memphis. The woman, believed to be in her early to mid-30s, had fled to her home and barricaded herself.

3/10 Asheville, NC Dr Killed by Father of Deceased Patient

2006-04-06T22:25:00.000-04:00

John David Beavers, 47, fatally shot Dr. Brian Ling, 50, in his office early in the morning. Beavers had made an appointment to see him and after arriving, the man went with Ling into an examination room, where they remained for an undetermined amount of time. Staff members heard gunshots and they burst into the room," tackling the gunman, taking his weapon and holding him until police arrived. Officers recovered a handgun at the scene. Beavers son, Michael, was a patient of Ling’s and died 6 days earlier. Michael Beavers had a lifelong history of health problems, suffering from kidney failure at 11 and had been getting dialysis treatments for years. He died on March 3, a day after suffering a stroke.

3/9/06 Prince Georges, VA Firefighters Fight Again during Fire

2006-04-06T22:23:00.000-04:00

Earlier in the year, we brought you a story about firefighters assaulting others while at a burning house. This time, volunteer firefighters claim they were assaulted at two fires by career firefighters. The Kentland volunteers are now claiming they were confronted by career firefighters at two blazes in Largo on Thursday, presumably in retaliation.

3/7 Tucson, AZ Co-worker Shoots Other While Showing Gun in Parking Lot of Dennys

2006-04-06T22:22:00.000-04:00

A Denny's restaurant employee was injured when a co-worker accidentally shot her in the restaurant's parking lot, police said. Brandy Smith, 22, was in the parking lot of the restaurant when her co-worker, Albert E. Morelli, showed her his gun.
According to Smith, Morelli, 34, had already removed the magazine from the gun when it fired, striking her, he said. Morelli offered to take Smith to the hospital, but she declined. Morelli then left the scene.

12/23/05 Asheville, NC Business Man Shot After Stealing Identity Theft of Partner

2006-04-06T22:21:00.000-04:00

Perry Murray Wilson, 53, owner of Carolina Consulting Services, was charged with identity theft, months after he was shot four times by a business partner during a meeting. He is accused of moving money from his business partners' credit lines to his own business checking account without their permission. He also faces charges of obtaining property by false pretenses and selling insurance without a license. He was shot by James T. Tedesco, 37, who is charged with first-degree attempted murder during a Dec. 26 meeting.

2004, Oregon Patient Beats Mental Health Staff over Beef Jerky

2006-04-06T22:15:00.000-04:00

Todd Van Dorn, 33, recently pleaded guilty in Marion County Circuit Court to a second-degree-assault charge as he admits beating a state hospital worker in 2004. He states that the staff person ignited his rage by throwing out his rule-exceeding supply of jerky. A hospital surveillance camera captured Van Dorn's assault on Valerie Aerni. The stocky patient punched Aerni in the face multiple times, then dished out more blows and kicks after she fell to her knees. Aerni's injuries included a concussion, black eyes and a broken tooth. This case is unique in that most patient-on-staff assaults at mental hospitals do not get investigated or prosecuted.

4/17/99 Singapore Man Kills Girlfriend's Maid; Blames Her for Seduction

2006-04-06T22:14:00.000-04:00

Ng Boon Tee, 26, admitted to killing his girlfriend’s Indonesian maid Sumiyati Muniri, 25, at the maid’s workplace, between 10.30pm, and 2.15am the next day. According to the facts of the case, Ng claimed that the maid had seduced him by undressing herself when they were alone in a room in the house. The maid pulled out a knife and asked to be paid for sexual favors while he was undressing himself. He retaliated by smashing her head with a perfume bottle before stabbing her with the knife.

9/9/1998 Springfield Township, MI Woman Shot by Random Act of Violence by Mentally Ill Man

2006-04-06T22:12:00.000-04:00

Kelly Rundell, now 43, was found guilty of attempted murder, but mentally ill. Shirley "Gwen" Hunter was working at the New Oakland Family Center when she had stepped outside to smoke a cigarette. Rundell approached Hunter, who held the door for him — thinking he might be a patient coming in for care. Hunter said he "looked right through her," walked passed and stopped. She next heard a loud bang and fell to the ground, feeling an extreme burning inside. Rundell shot her in the back at point-blank range. They had not known each other. When police arrived at his home minutes after the crime, Rundell had already changed his clothes. And he had disassembled and hid the gun. This helped convince the jury that he wasn't insane at the time of the crime, and that he understood right from wrong, according to prosecutors.

Norfolk, UK Study- Public Workers Assaulted 7 Times a Day

2006-02-22T22:05:00.000-05:00

An investigation in Norfolk has revealed some startling findings about the safety of frontline public sector staff. Surprisingly, there are 7 assaults a day on workers in this field.
Across the UK, health care staff eight times more likely to be assaulted than police officers. By far the greatest number of attacks were carried out on health workers such as doctors, nurses, mental health specialists, and ambulance drivers, who were assaulted 1,676 times last year.
In response, Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Partnership appointed a local security management specialist in October 2004, whose role includes investigating all complaints - not only about attacks on staff but also about damage to Trust property as a result of a violent incident. They also teach staff on how to de-escalate a situation and breakaway safely from physical attacks.

Canadian Murders may Lead to New Labor Regulations

2006-02-22T21:57:00.000-05:00

After the murder of a 19-year-old victim was working by himself the government in Manitoba is looking at worker safety legislation. The potential changes would be part of a broader overhaul of the Employment Standards Act. There are already regulation requiring employers to have a plan in place to identify possible risks -- and ways to minimize the risks -- for workers left alone. This law came about after the 1981 murder of 16-year-old doughnut shop waitress Barbara Stoppel. The proposed changes to the new law may include a ban prohibiting under-age employees from working overnight shifts.

4/9/04 Bradenton, FL Trial Starts for Man who Killed Ex-Girlfriend at Work

2006-02-22T21:52:00.000-05:00

Emerson Ware, 39, will begin his trial for the murder of his ex-girlfriend Jeannette D. Conwell, 45. is accused of breaking into Conwell's house, threatening her daughter and boyfriend, going to Conwell's workplace and stabbing her to death with a knife he stole from the home.

Florida Guns at Work Bill Fails

2006-02-22T21:49:00.000-05:00

A controversial Florida bill, HB 129, that would make it a felony for Florida businesses to bar guns from the workplace was defeated in the state legislature. It was only a couple of weeks ago when a hearing for the proposed legislation was cancelled due to the strong opposition from the business community. Testimony of members of the Florida Retail Federation and Florida Chamber of Commerce presented a solid stance against any compromise. This initiative is a landmark in the NRA’s 50-state campaign to pass guns-at-work legislation. Currently, there are ten guns-at-work bills pending in legislatures across the United States: California, Utah, Missouri, Indiana, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, and New Hampshire.

Free On-line Courses on Bullying at Work

2006-02-22T21:38:00.000-05:00

SkillSoft, a UK based provider of comprehensive e-learning content and technology products for business and IT professionals, is offering 3 web-based training to help workers combat bullying. These three on-line courses are available anytime by visiting http://www.skillsoft.com/bullying, until the end of July 2006. The three courses available are Harassment at Work – addressing the issue of bullying and harassment in the workplace; Working with Aggressive People - details the characteristics of the six most common types of aggressive people and provides effective ways you can cope with their behaviors and Difficult People in the Workplace - shows step-by-step methods and processes to help you identify difficult people and learn how to deal and communicate with them.

1/31 Richland, VA Man Kidnapps Ex-wife with Knife

2006-02-16T22:45:00.000-05:00

Thomas Walker Jr., 23, walked into the Rawlinson Road workplace of his estranged girlfriend. She was hiding in a locked bathroom but he forced his way in and took her from the business at knifepoint. He crashed his car a short distance away and she escaped but not before he took $40 from her. He was later apprehended.

LA Sees Violence Against City Employees Soar

2006-02-16T22:42:00.000-05:00

Los Angeles City Attorney's Office claim that workplace violence and threats to municipal workers increased 2,000% in the past 5 years. There were four reports of workplace violence in 2001, 26 in 2002, 58 in 2003, 45 in 2004 and 93 in 2005, according to records. There was also an upsurge in the number of restraining orders filed. While there were 41 restraining orders last year, there were just 32 in 2003 and only 12 in 2004. There was some discussion if this was due to more threats and incidents or just better reporting. The office asked for $400,000 to create a full-time Workplace Violence Unit however it is unlikely as there was a projected a $270 million budget shortfall.

2/13 Landover Hills, VA Firefighters Fight over Who Fight Fire

2006-02-16T22:20:00.000-05:00

In one of the oddest cases of workplace violence, an all volunteer firefighter department endangered emergency workers from another station by sabotaging equipment while a house burned. Two career firefighters from the Landover Hills station claimed that volunteer firefighters from the Kentland Station deliberately shut off their air tanks and ripped off some of their protective gear, resulting in first and second degree burns. The dispute was over which station should fight the fire. One of the alleged assailants is on operational suspension and an internal investigation is underway.

Federal Court Upholds Oklahoma Company's Right to Ban Firearms at Work

2006-02-16T22:19:00.000-05:00

A Denver federal appeals court ruled it was legal for an Oklahoma paper mill to fire 8 employees who violated company policy by having guns in their vehicle on the company parking lot. The workers sued the company for illegal search of their property and wrongful discharge as the policy was in violation of their 2nd amendment right. However, the judge claimed that the company, “did not unlawfully infringe upon any right of plaintiffs in enforcing its no-firearms policy.” The firing occurred in 2002 and prompted state legislators in 2004 to enact a law that makes it much harder for property owners and employers to ban guns from their property.

2/14 Oxford, AL Man Murders Boss, Claiming to be a US Marshall

2006-02-16T22:12:00.000-05:00

Fred Allen Walker, 48, killed his boss of over a dozen years in the back office of MotorCycle Sports. Walker came to work for a few minutes Tuesday morning, then went outside and returned with two handguns and went back to Jerry Wayne Harrell's office about 9:30 a.m. Afterwards, Walker walked back into the showroom and made a phone call to the US Marshall’s office in DC. He made claims to the responding medical technicians that he worked for the Marshall’s service and was carrying out an execution. Walker had no relation to the US Marshall’s service nor any other federal agency.

1/26 Beaumont, TX Man Hid in Locker Room before Assaulting Ex-Wife

2006-02-16T22:01:00.000-05:00

Anthony Wayne Leblanc, 35, shot his estranged wife, Emma Leblanc and attempted to shoot her coworker where they worked in the janitorial department. He snuck in to the workplace and hid in the worker’s locker room. At around 7 pm, when she started work, he came out and shot at her 4 times, striking her once in the elbow. He is did not strike the co-worker when he shot at him. He fled only to wreck his car during a police chance.

1/30 Santa Barbara, CA Former Postal Worker Kills 6 then Self

2006-01-31T13:16:00.000-05:00

Jennifer Sanmarco, 44, killed 5 people at a mail-processing center and then killed herself, using a 9 mm handgun. According to investigators, she was put on disability for behavior problems in 2003. She had at one point been removed by deputies from the facility. She had since moved to New Mexico where she had several incidents with law enforcement due to her erratic behavior such as taking her clothes off in a store.
On the night of the murders, she arrived at the plant and entered the fenced grounds by following closely behind another car to get past the gate. She then entered the facility by taking an employee's electronic identification badge at gunpoint but did not hurt that employee. She killed two employees outside, another just outside the door and critically wounded another just inside. 3 other victims were killed inside before she killed herself. It is thought that she killed a former neighbor before she went on her rampage at the processing center.

1/23 Chandler, AZ Nephew Shoots Co-Worker Uncle at Sign Company

2006-01-27T11:37:00.000-05:00

Oscar Valenzuela was charged with the murder of his uncle, Benjamin Marquez-Valenzuela, 29. Both were working on painting signs at the Young Electric Sign Co., when the nephew shot the victim. While there is no declared motive for the shooting, authories believe that it may be personal matter as Oscar had moved out from living with the victim about 3 weeks ago. According to reports, the shooter told other workers that it was his last day and that we was returning to Mexico.

1/23 Clayton, NC Hostage Situation at Catepillar Plant DV Related

2006-01-27T11:05:00.000-05:00

Michael Wilson Akins Jr., 22, was a temporary employee at a Caterpillar plant where his girlfriend also worked. After a heated arguement where he alledgedly threatened her, he was brought into a seperate conference room by security and a supervisor. It was then that he pulled a handgun out. The men pushed him out of the room and locked the door but he then took a male nurse hostage. After looking for his girlfriend but not finding her, he took the hostage's car and phone, fleeing the scene. He later crashed during police pursuit. Akins had numerous arrests for firearm related crimes.

1/16 Calgary, Canada Mortgage Executive Murdered in his Office

2006-01-19T22:15:00.000-05:00

Jack Beauchamp, 49-year-old father of three and head of a mortgage lending firm that he founded in 1998, was found dead outside his office early in the morning by an employee, just minutes after the shooting. While there were no immediate suspects, Robert Deer, 52, was taken in and charged with criminal harassment. Beauchamp had received threatening e-mails for months leading up to the shooting. Deer has been released on bail. Police also wouldn't say how Mr. Deer knew Mr. Beauchamp. However, local media reported that the firm turned down Mr. Deer's application for a mortgage.

1/9 Winston-Salem, NC Woman Shot by Husband at ReHab Center

2006-01-19T21:24:00.000-05:00

Lee Terry Sr. shot Shefon McIntyre while she was working at the Winston-Salem Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. Shortly before 6 a.m., he arrived to speak with her. The two went into the stairwell where he then shot the 61 year old woman. Although he fled the scene, he later turned himself in to the police. The victim is recovering at the hospital.

1/9 Vereeniging, South Africa Employer Murders Workers for Organizing Labor

2006-01-19T21:23:00.000-05:00

Employer Charl Colyn, his daughter Isabel, son-in-law Jacques Smit and family friend Ruan Swanepoel are accused of murdering 3 of Colyn’s employees at a Laundromat. Caroline Lesito (28), Constance Moeletsi and Victoria Ndweni (30) were found dead in laundry bins at their workplace, Protea Dry Cleaners. Another three suspects are still being sought by police. The Colyns' gardeners, Samuel Mzizi and Jacob Dlamini are also charged as accessories to the crime as they were paid to clean up the crime scene.
According to charges, 9 people entered the workplace and began to assault the employees. At one point they opened a washing machine, threw chemicals in the machine and put victims in. When taken out, they were tied up and strangled, left for dead in the dust bins. As for a possible motive, one of the victims influenced workers to join the union and had already reported the owners to the CCMA (Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration).

6/29/1994 San Fernando, Trinidad Hitman, Hired by Husband and 3rd wife, Murders former wife and Dr.

2006-01-19T21:15:00.000-05:00

Professor Vijay Naraynsingh, his wife, Seeromani Maraj-Naraynsingh and Elton Ramasir are being tried for the murder of Dr Chandra Naraynsingh. Naraynsingh was gunned down outside her workplace by hitman Shawn Parris on June 29, 1994 as she left her workplace at the now defunct Langmore Health Foundation.

1/15 Tecumseh, MI Man Assault Girlfriend at Hospital over Cell Phone

2006-01-19T20:28:00.000-05:00

Royce Wayne Ohlinger, 29, alledgely assaulted his 24 year old girlfriend at her workplace, Herrick Memorial Hospital. The two had spoken earlier in the evening when the man accused her of seeing someone else. He went to the hospital at 3:48 a.m. and confronted her in the X-ray room. Ohlinger wanted to see her cell phone to see who she had been speaking with and in the ensuing struggle, the woman claimed that he struck her and pushed her to the ground resulting in her heading a cart. He fled as she went to the emergency room. Police called the man on her phone and requested that he return to the hospital which he refused. He was later apprehended by deputies and charged with domestic violence and larceny of property worth less than $200, according to jail records.

1/10 Kansas City, KS Man Fires Shotgun at Plant then Commits Suicide at Home

2006-01-13T10:04:00.000-05:00

Lester King, 52, fired shots inside a lighting plant, Midwest Lighting Solutions but did not strike anyone. He later returned to his home and committed suicide in his car, using a shotgun. After leaving the plant, he called a friend stating that he was going to kill himself. When asked if he shot anyone, King responded, “"No, I was just mad and wanted to make a statement." According to a company spokesman, King was disciplined just before the event, went home and returned with a firearm at around 2:20 pm. King was a well-known blues guitarist in the community.

1/6 Louisville, KY Meter Reader Confronted by Man with Knife

2006-01-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

Two officers responded to a call from a water company employee after he was confronted by a man with a knife while taking a reading at a home. When officers arrived, the Michael Woods, 38 confronted them and cut a supervising officer on the face and the shoulder. Another officer then shot the man in the leg and the chest.

1/4 Commercial City, CO Man Shoots Ex-Wife at AutoGlass Shop

2006-01-06T15:13:00.000-05:00

Brian Fossey, 40, shot his estranged wife as she was leaving her work at an auto glass shop around 5 p.m. Police found her in parking lot and took her to hospital where she is expected to recover. Fossey, left the scene but was later found the next night at 3 a.m. on the side of road. He sustained minor injuries after his car went off the road. He had take an overdose of prescription medicine. His condition is stable and we will be charged with first-degree assault charges.

1/3 Ajax, Canada Man Abducts and Assaults Woman with Knife

2006-01-04T20:28:00.000-05:00

A man was accused of kidnapping and stabbing his former common-law wife. She was working at her Whitby workplace when he abducted her at knifepoint around 10:30 a.m. The 23-year-old victim was held against her will for several hours and assaulted with a knife when she tried to escape. Family members called her cellphone and she indicated she needed police assistance. Police arrived at his home around 7 p.m. and took a man into custody. The woman was taken to hospital with wounds to her head and back.

12/31 Phoenix, AZ Man Kills Self and Ex-Wife, Wounds Boyfriend and Daughter

2006-01-02T15:03:00.000-05:00

A yet unnamed man killed his ex-wife, Guadalupe Ava Rios, critically wounding her boyfriend and his 2 year old daughter. Police believe that the ex-husband, had been driving around in a truck with his two daughters, ages 2 and 3 ½, when he found Rios was walking to her workplace. Her boyfriend was also at the scene when the couple confronted each other. Investigators believe the ex-husband opened fire on 26-year-old Rios and shot her 25-year-old boyfriend numerous times in the stomach, then turned the handgun on himself. The slain couple’s 2-year-old daughter was shot in the right wrist, perhaps by a stray bullet.

12/28 Detroit, MI UPS Worker Shoots Family Members then Co-Worker

2005-12-29T13:27:00.000-05:00

Jamal Samuels, 22 shot his mother, 56-year-old Annie Samuels, and his 14-year-old niece multiple times at their home in the early hours before he fire to a bedroom in an apparent attempt to burn down the house. He then drove to the UPS sorting facility where he worked at about 3 a.m. in a lot behind a Wal-Mart store where some UPS employees park. He had previous been at his job but was sent home due to lack of work. After lying in wait, he shot and killed co-worker who was leaving the center. Samuels apparently then drove to another co-worker's home nearby in Wayne County's Redford Township, where he took his own life in the driveway. Police found AK-47 rounds at his home but had not stated what kind of weapon was used.
Samuels allegedly suffered from a mental disorder and was not taking his medication. During the shooting at the Wal-Mart parking also damaged a silo, causing the loss of 60,000 gallons of milk, costing at least a $150-thousand loss.

12/23 Spokane, WA Santa Shot by Boy with BB Gun

2005-12-26T12:38:00.000-05:00

A 13-year-old boy in Washington was charged with of shooting a mall Santa. The boy used a BB gun and shot from the second floor of the mall. The man was struck just under the eye but did not suffer any injuries and was able to continue to work.

12/23 Houston, TX Former Employee Shoots Supervisors at Oil Change Shop

2005-12-26T12:32:00.000-05:00

Ritchie Arthur Brown, 22, arrived at Universal Oil & Lube around noon and began to argue over his recent termination with his former supervisor and son. He then shot the two. Workers at the automotive shop said the alleged shooter worked at the place for a few months, but wasn't a good fit. Brown then fled home and held off police till late in the evening. After several attempts with negotiation and the use of tear gas, Brown came out, shooting at the officers. He was then killed by responding fire.

12/17 Manatee, FL Man Holds Woman Hostage with Razor

2005-12-26T12:29:00.000-05:00

Fred Williams Jr., 46, held a woman hostage at her workplace for 6 hours with a razor blade. The man and woman have a child together. He struck here several times and threatened to kill her between 5 and 11 p.m. Williams was later arrested for kidnapping, aggravated assault and domestic battery.

12/18 Vista, CA Man Kills Two Co-Workers at Pool Supply Factory

2005-12-22T20:09:00.000-05:00

Imeldo Molina Laurel, 52, is wanted for the murder of two co-workers at Polaris Pool Systems Inc. While a motive is unknown, witnesses at the scene believe that it something related to outside of the workplace. Early Sunday morning, Maria Martinez, 38, and Manuel Lopez Alvarez, 46, were sitting outside in the parking lot during a break when Molina drove up and shot them numerous times,. The suspect had worked for Polaris since 1994 and had no history of violence. It is believed that he fled to Mexico.

11/27 Albany, GA Pizza Hut Employee Killed in Parking Lot by Jealous Man

2005-12-19T14:38:00.000-05:00

Deyale Johnson, 20 and Nevarro Brinson, 22, were charged with murder for the killing of Damarcus Wadell. Allegedly, Wadell and Johnson were dating the same woman. The two assailants gunned down the victim in the parking lot of the Pizza Hut where he worked.

6/10 Fresno, CA Former Employer Kidnaps and Plans Murder of Woman

2005-12-19T14:36:00.000-05:00

Ricardo Zambrano, 36, and Alfonso Cuevas Gonzalez, 39, were charged with kidnapping, conspiracy to commit murder, carjacking and other charges when they took a woman outside her Menlo Park workplace in a plan to rape and murder her because she rebuffed Zambrano's romantic advances when she worked for him earlier in the year. The plan failed when the woman at whose house the crimes were supposed to occur didn't let Gonzalez inside. He was forced to bring the victim to another location. The victim later escaped with the help of another woman, an associate’s mother who learned of the crime. The attempted murder charges against the men were later dropped.

12/15 St. Paul, MN Co-Worker Shoots Other at UPS Distribution Center

2005-12-18T20:31:00.000-05:00

A 19-year-old employee of a UPS distribution plant, Nathaniel Harris, shot and wounded a fellow co-worker at around 8:50 am in the parking lot. The suspect had finished his night shift, went home and tried to re-enter the facility but was not allowed in. He waited outside for his victim, whom he had a dispute with, and shot him with a shotgun, grazing his head. The victim, Jeffrey Anderson, went to the security desk to report the assault. The suspect later turned himself into the police.

Kansas Counties Expected to Pass Law and get Funds for Caseworker Safety Programs

2005-12-15T15:26:00.000-05:00

The bill, expected to be signed by Bush before Christmas, is the latest in a series of initiatives that sprang from Teri Zenner’s slaying 15 months ago. She was stabbed to death in August 2004 while visiting Ellmaker at his Overland Park home.
Johnson County Mental Health officials have instituted new safety procedures, which are being adopted by the state of Kansas. And Matt Zenner has been on a mission to create national caseworker safety legislation he wants known as “Teri’s Law.” Johnson County Mental Health is emphasizing education over the latest technology. For instance, they tried Global Positioning Systems and one-button calling from a cell phone, but they generally proved unsatisfactory.
Instead, other procedural measures were put in place such as potentially violent client’s file will have a tag alerting workers to the possible risks. Caseworkers also are required to alert the staff to their daily schedules by computer, to register their vehicles with the mental health center and to provide photos for better identification should they turn up missing. More significant, initial visits with clients are now more likely to happen in the office, or with two staff members present. During office visits, a copy of a client’s picture ID is taken. Windows have been placed in all doors for better monitoring, and blinds in all rooms are required to be open. Other changes mean that corrections clients will be seen in jail, staffers will wear identification badges and have their photos placed in a county database. Emergency color codes will now alert workers through an overhead paging system when a crisis occurs.
Studies show fear of violence is a reality for caseworkers. As many as one in four social workers have reported some form of attack, Catherine Crisp, an assistant professor at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare. Also, 48 percent of all nonfatal injuries from assaults on the job happen in the social services and health-care fields, says U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, a Kansas Democrat and former county prosecutor who introduced the $100,000 funding measure for the counties in his district.