May 6 Franconia Township, PA Two Employees Accidently Shot when a Third Shows his Gun in Parking Lot

Two employees were injured and a third was in police custody after a handgun discharged twice while the men were looking at it. It was between noon and 1 p.m. when the three men had left their shift at the Moyer Packing Company. The went to one of the men’s cars so that he could show them his Ruger 9mm handgun. The gun went off twice and two of the men were injured. There is no suspicion that the act was intentional and noon of the injuries were life threatening.

This emphasizes the danger of weapons on company property, which includes the parking lot. Please not the early posting about increased homicide rates in workplaces that allow guns.

May 6 Chatham, GA Home Depot Employee Shoots Man who Chased him to Work

In a rare instance of workplace violence, a in the leg Friday night at the chain store's southeast distribution center in Chatham County. According to witnesses, the assailant chased the victim through the parking lot, shooting as he ran. As reported, Sean Pajotte , 35, was an employee of Home Deport and had been in an argument with ShaKim Brash, 38. Brash had threatened Pajotte and followed him to the company parking lot. That is when Pajotte pulled out his weapon and shot at Brash. However, police report that Brash was the aggressor and a weapon was allegedly found in his car.

May 3 Santa Ana, CA Woman Kidnapped from Work, Assailant Killed

A 23 year old woman was kidnapped from her workplace just before midnight. The family of the victim paid $1,200 in ransom to the perpetrator but he fled with the victim in his getaway car. The family had received the call demanding the ransom at which they contact law enforcement. The perpetrator went to their home where officers were waiting. When he arrived in the victim’s car to collect the money, he fled with the victim still inside. The police stopped the car which crashed into a parked pick up. The assailant was then shot and killed by the responding officers. The victim and the kidnapper have not been identified.

April 29th Newport News, VA Man Shoots Ex-Wife then Flees

Thomas Wayne Caudle, 39, walked into Dominion Physical Therapy around 4 p.m. and started arguing with this estranged wife in her office. It then that he drew a pistols and started to shoot her, hitting her several times in the lower body and legs. A co-worker called the police as Caudle fled. He took off in a blue Plymouth Voyager which was found about a mile away in a company parking lot. A blood hound and German Shepard soon tracked him where he was hiding in a drain ditch which was waist deep in water. The victim was taken to an area hospital where her wounds were not considered life threatening.

Workplaces that Allow Guns at Work More Likely to Have Homicide Occur

A new study from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill indicates that workplace murders are three times more likely to occur at jobs that permit employees to carry weapons than in places that prohibit all weapons and that risk is double if guns are involved. Dana Loomis, a professor of epidemiology and member of the UNC Injury Prevention Research Center published in the May issue of the American Journal of Public Health a study that looks at 87 cases where employees were killed at work sites in North Carolina between 1994 and 1998 with 177 comparable work sites where there were no murders. In places that allow firearms and other weapons, there is a 7 fold increase in the risk of an on-the-job murder. Similar to residential studies, this obviously shows that there is a greater risk for homicide in workplaces that allow guns to be carried.
This study has deep significance for recent state legislation such as in Virginia where it is legal to have a firearm on school property in the parking lot and in Okalahoma and Ohio where there is legislation to allow employees to have guns in their cars at work.

April 14th Detroit, MI Former Employee Shot by Stranger In Lobby of TV Station

A former employee comes to the workplace and a shooting occurs. But this incident has unique twist. John Owens, 53, was visiting the lobby of a TV station WDIV-TV when he was shot by a man who had apparently been harassing and assaulting company employees for the past year. At approximately 4:15 p.m., Owens was there to pick up a video tape when a unidentified man entered the lobby but was not given admittance to the building since the receptionist recognized him as someone who they have had problems with before. The man then shot Owens and fled. Authorities later apprehended a suspect. A spokesman of the station stated that although they regret that a former employee was hurt, the security systems that they had in place did their job. The suspect obviously came to the station to inflict harm but was identified (and recorded) on the CCTV system and not buzzed in to the building. In a American Society of Employers survey of 245 Detroit-area companies, 61 percent said they had a workplace violence policy in place in 2004, up from 41 percent in 2000.

April 22nd Jackson, MI Man Shoots Co-Worker of Missing Tools Dispute

Eddie Mitchell, 51, alledgley murdered Clifton Patterson, 43, Anglin Tire Company. Mitchell reportedly shot Patterson three times during a dispute over missing tools, hitting him in the abdomen, left rear shoulder and in the back of the head. Mitchell had kept a handgun in one of his tool boxes.

April 18th Benoni, South Africa Business Owner Kills Two Workers and Injures Another

In case of an employer shooting his own employees, Tony Jones, 55, opened fire at MCE Engineering on Monday after a dispute over wage payments. He was arguing with 15 of his employees in the morning as they were demanding their full payment, only a portion of which did they receive. There was history of abusive practices such as when he set his 10 attack dogs on his workers last year. These dogs were constantly intimidating the workers through the workplace. In this last shooting, two workers were killed and one critically injured when he ordered them outside the gate and then came back with a gun, firing randomly at the workers. He was later found dead inside his office from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Jury Finds Mother not Guilty of 1st Degee Murder of Rapist

A jury found the defendant Kimberly Cunningham, 33, not guilty of first degree murder when she went to the Alcoa, TN workplace of Coy Hundley, 39, and shot him in the parking lot. It was over a year and half ago when Cunningham discovered that Hudley had allegedly raped her 10 year old daughter. Hudley was also the girl’s uncle. The next day, Cunningham went to Slide Lock Tool Inc. where Hudley worked and shot him 8 times. The jury is still weighing to convict her of lesser charges.

San Antonio, TX Air Force Base Captain Under Investigation for Attempting to Plot Murder of Wife at Work

At the Lackland Air Force Base, Captain Barry Brown and his aide, Staff Sergeant Ramona Greiner, are both under investigation for planning the murder of Brown’s wife. Greiner allegedly asked a civilian friend to kill the Captain’s wife for the price of $25,000. The man went to the authorities who helped him arrange a meeting on March 25th with the two suspects. The man was wearing a microphone and taped the solicitation for murder and plan. This is a workplace place issue because the pair ordered the man to go to the Captain’s wife’s workplace to not only kill her but shoot anyone else present. This was to cover up the lead the motive and to make it appear as a random event.

April 23rd Pittsburgh, PA Woman Shoots Ex-Boyfriend then Commits Suicide

Amy Jo Gamble, 27, went to the Keystone Power Plant in Plum Creek Township where he ex-boyfriend worked. He apparently did not know that she slipped behind Andrew Paul Gordish, 32 and pulled the trigger of a.38 revolver. She then put the gun to her own head and committed suicide. He had recently moved away after living with her for period of time in Elderton. Both were pronounced dead at 10:05 a.m.

April 14th Durango, CO Ex-Boyfriend Shoots Employee then Flees on Foot

Richard Edwards, 49, walked into the workplace of his estranged girlfriend, 41, shooting and killing her the moment he saw her. She was working at a Beads and Beyond store when he walked in on Thursday morning at 11:19 a.m. He shot 7 times with a semi-automatic handgun which he had recently purchased. He then fled the store, leading officers on a foot chase that criss-crossed through a quiet residential neighborhood. He was finally apprehended without incident at around 12:15 p.m. Earlier in the week, he had entered her home and ransacked the place, destroying her property. For this crime, there was an open warrant for his arrest and the police were actively searching for him.

April 11th Bristol, Virginia Man Kills Boyfriend of Ex-wife, then Calls Police

John Reeves, 44, rammed his car into Randy Canter’s just as Canter was arriving for work at Permatile Concrete Products. The event occurred at around 7 a.m. and witnesses say that Reeves had been waiting and asking for him. After the car wreck, Reeves pulled a shotgun out of the back of his car and chased his victim. Canter was shot in the back as he was trying to escape. It was then that the perpetrator went back to his car, called 911 and waited a short while till officers arrived to turn himself in to the authorities. Co-workers state that the two men had an on-going dispute over Reeve’s wife who was living with Canter. Reeves even attempted to take a restraining order out against his former wife but it was denied. Canter had an open communicating threats warrant on Reeves but it could not be served over state lines as he lived in Tennessee. Reeves was on probation and was prohibited from owning a fire arm or crossing state-lines.
This incident illustrates the study done by Peace at Work that shows how many of these assaults occur in the parking lot at the beginning of work (31%) and that the perpetrators turn themselves over to the police afterwards (11%).

April 6 North Miami Beach, FL Man Kills Wife then Self

At a busy auto tag agency, Gustavo Velastegui, 42, came to his wife’s workplace where he shot and killed her and then turned the gun on himself. Co-workers relate how she had an argument with him over the phone, going to the bathroom afterwards. He arrived shortly there after where he encountered her in the parking lot. He chased her into the building where she hid in the bathroom. He ran in shouting to know where she was and fired the gun in the air. He went to the bathroom and broke down the door, shot her 3 times and then killed himself. Yndhira Velastegui, 36 and the mother of 4, had obtained a restraining order against him on February 15th and had left him 5 months ago. Co-workers also state that he had been stalking her for the past few weeks.

Canadian Conference Focuses on Workplace Violence

As Canada has been ranked as the fourth worst country in the world for violence in the workplace violence, the Industrial Accident Prevention Association of that nation is hosting a landmark conference with emphasis on the issue. The Health and Safety Canada 2005 Conference and Trade Show was held on April 4, 2005 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Speaking at the event was Julian Fantino, Ontario's newly
appointed Commissioner of Emergency Management and former Chief of the Toronto
Police Service. Also a key note speaker was Charles Moose, who headed the 2002 multi-jurisdictional taskforce assigned to apprehend the headline-making "DC serial snipers."

4/2 Woodridge, NY Workplace Stabbing From Co-Worker Dispute

Luis Garcia, 41, stabbed a fellow co-worker Melvin Kanalis, 33, at the Newburgh Egg Corp. The injury was to this abdomen and he had to be rushed to the hospital. The dispute occurred around noon as Kanalis asked Garcia to clean a piece of equipment. A argument ensued that ended in the stabbing with a box cutter. Garcia then fled after the incident but was later caught home.

3/31 Espanola, NM Ex-boyfriend Killed Current Boyfriend

Andrew R. Vigil, 23, had walked out of his job at the Real Estate Title Services when he was allegedly shot by Julio A. Chiviria-Grijalva, 17 who accompanied by Jake Lucero, 17. While the exact details are yet to be clarified, the incident stems from domestic situation involving an old girlfriend. Vigil was the previous boyfriend of Lucero’s current girlfriend. The young woman and Lucero had an altercation earlier in the day where he threatened to burn her clothes. She called Vigil and told him about the argument and fight. It was shortly thereafter at around 11:20 a.m. when Chiviria-Grijalva and Lucero arrived at Vigil’s workplace. As he stepped outside, they shot him from the car and then drove off. Vigil was pronounced dead at Española Hospital.

New Jersey Bill Would Help Victims with Employment Leave

New legislation was introduced in the legislature of New Jersey that will provide employment support for victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault. The New Jersey Security and Financial Empowerment Act or NJ SAFE would allow them to take up to 20 unpaid days off from work to meet legal or counseling needs , such as attending court, medical or counseling services. Joan Voss (D-Bergen), a co-sponsor of the legislation, states, "One key to being free from an abuser is economic independence. Ensuring that victims will not lose their jobs because of necessary treatment and court hearings can mean the difference between being liberated from their abusers or sliding back into their menacing grips." Under the legislation, an employer can require a worker who was a victim of domestic or sexual violence to use all of the individual's sick days before permitting the unpaid leave. An employer may also require proof the time off is needed for legal matters or counseling but would have to keep the information confidential.

Luxembourg Conference Held by the International Labor Organization

In March, a landmark conference focused on safe working conditions for government inspectors. This stemmed form a series of assaults, including when two French Labor Inspectors were killed by a farmer in Dordogne in September 2004.They were investigating the contracts of seasonal workers employed at the farm. In Brazil, 3 labor inspectors were murdered execution-style in January 2004 at a soybean plantation where slave labor was allegedly occurring. The conference concentrated on holistic approach to increase the safety and security of government inspectors. The core mission of these investigators is to ensure the safety and security of workers.
One program that was suggested is SafeWork, a training manual on social skills, enabling inspectors to reduce tensions and remove fears from the inspected. The project was tested in Bulgaria, which reportedly transformed the Bulgarian Labour Inspectorate into an efficiently and effectively performing state administration.

3/21- East London, South Africa- Man Shoots Wife, then Himself

The 33 year old husband of Yandiswa Bewula, 32, arrived at her workplace at around 9:30 a.m. when the two began to argue. He then took out a 9mm and fired 8 shots at her. Five stuck in the chest. He then shot himself in the left foot. Both were taken to the hospital where he is under suicide watch and is expected to be charged with attempted murder.

3/23, Whitehall, OH – Fired Employee Commits Suicide at Office

Reggie Edwards, 47, was fired from his salesman’s job for job performance issues at Safe Auto Insurance when he went out to his car and returned with a gun. He fired shots inside and then took the human resources administrator hostage. Law enforcement quickly arrived as he barricaded himself and his hostage at around 4:15 p.m. Negotiations were going well and the hostage was released at 10:45 p.m. Edwards then killed himself shortly afterwards. In 2000, he won the Salesman of the Year award.

3/3/05, Beech Grove, IN- Hospital Manager put on Leave for Alleged Assault on Employee

David McRoberts, manager of catheterization labs at Francis Hospital and Health Centers, was put on leave after he was accused of assault on Bryan Taylor, a hospital technician. Reportedly, McRoberts "grabbed the front of Bryan's shirt with both hands and pushed Bryan backwards into a wall," Taylor also told police that McRoberts cursed at him and threatened to write him up. This allegedly happenedn in McRoberts' office at around 1:45 p.m. McRoberts claims that he never touched Taylor. McRobert’s attorney is claiming that Taylor is copying a similar recent lawsuit complaint in which St. Francis heart surgeon, Dr. Daniel H. Raess, was ordered to pay $325,000 to a former hospital employee for verbal assault in 2001.

March 2005, Peoria, IL: City Obtains a Restraining Order against Disbarred Attorney

City officials in Peoria obtained a temporary restraining order against a disbarred attorney, Chase Ingersoll, whom they say sent e-mails threatening the city manager and two employees. Ingersoll states that is just a diversion from the city’s attempt to obstruct homeowners' rights. The restraining order prohibits Ingersoll from going to City Hall without having official business there. It also bars from him from being within 500 feet of Sonni Williams, a city attorney, City Manager Randy Oliver and Thomas Higgins, a local attorney who presides over the city's housing court, unless he has official business. All three city employees felt threatened by the tone of Ingersoll's e-mails. One of which reportedly stated, "I hope you took my previous warning about Williams and Higgins seriously. I've seen bigger scamers (sic) than these two, but not everyone is so jaded. They play their little game with the wrong person and there is no telling whatcould happen to them or anyone around them." In response to the order, Ingersoll referred to the officials “as being little crybabies”.

3/23/05 Arlington, IL – Man Takes Manager Hostage

Tylon Cole was an employee of Planned Plumbing when he entered a heated argument with two of his supervisors at around 5 a.m. He took out a handgun and fired into the air. When a manager told Cole to calm down, he shot a supervisor, who was lying on the floor, twice in the leg. He then ordered the manager to drive him to Elgin where he then fled. He was later apprehended by law enforcement. The manager was taken to the hospital for suffering from chest pains.

2/2005 Curlew, Washington Social Worker Attacked before Assailant Killed by Officer

A child Protection Service worker was severly injured after she was assaulted during a home visit. She had arrived with another CPS worker and a deputy to remove 3 children from the home. On a previous visit, the father, Bryan S. Russell, 35, had been warned that they children would be removed unless he improved the living conditions in their home. There was no electricity and no running water. The worker was assaulted with a 2X4 and then a machete. She suffered cuts, a broken arm and wrist and a possible skull fracture. A deputy was able to respond and shot the assailant, killing him at the scene. The three children, ages 1-5, witnessed the incident. The mother is also expecting another child shortly.
A 1994 survey Montana child-welfare workers, published in the journal Child Welfare, found that one in 10 had been hit on the job and a third of the workers had faced death threats. A quarter of the surveyed workers feared their own families could face job-related violence.

3/19/05 San Diego, CA – Girlfriend Stabs Man at his Workplace

Cindy Marie McLaughlin, 34, stabbed her boyfriend after she visited him at his workplace. The incident occurred on Saturday at about 8:30 p.m. It is unknown for the reason for the assault however the state of the victim after the assault may have raised come concerns. Officers needed to handcuff James Robert Browder, 26, to his hospital gurney due to his belligerent behavior. Although he initially accused McLaughlin of the assault, he later stated that he fell on the knife. When asked how long the knife was that stabbed him, he replied, “Big enough to cut your heart out." Both victim and assailant were suspected of drinking before the assault.

3/14/05- Frederick, MD – Water Treatment Plant Fires Guns at Work

Donald Lee Smith, 58, opened up fire at the Marcies' Choice Lane plant which treats wastewater. He brought a handgun and a rifle just after 8 p.m. and started to “shooting around” the plant. No one was injured and it appears that he was not aiming at anyone. Numerous officers responded and were able to convince him to surrender after 15 minutes of negotiations. He was sent to a hospital for a mental evaluation and was later released and arrested.

3/2/05- Belleville, Ill. Hairdresser and Two Elderly Clients Stabbed to Death

Michael Cooney, 62, was cutting the hair of two of his regular customers, two sisters Doris Fischer and Dorothy Bone when they were savagely attacked. A St. Louis man, Samuel Johnson, was charged with attempted burglary of Cooney's house 15 months ago but has not been charged with the murders. He is fighting extradition in Chicago and is a leading suspect in the homicides. It is unknown the relationship between Cooney and Johnson.

3/3/05- Decatur, IL- Brother Stabs Worker to Death at Work

LaWarren Thomas stabbed his brother DiAngilos at LaWarren’s workplace. A physical confrontation occurred when his brother and others were visiting. They were punching each other when DiAngilos stopped and complained that he could not breath. Lifting up his shirt, they found blood on his chest. They drove him to the hospital and reported that he was attacked by four unknown men. LaWarren claimed that he was at work and did not know what happened. The stab wound was found to have penetrated the heart and the victim later died in the hospital. Later investigation discovered the truth of the incident.

2/10/05 - Pittsburgh, PA Navy Employee Beats Supervisor Unconscious

Roderick Adams, a civilian computer systems administrator for the Navy, was charged with assaulting Senior Master Chief Scott Ewen. Ewen, who was not the direct supervior, was telling Adams to calm down after the Adams was yelling in the office. That is when he followed Ewens into his office, pushed him in the corner and repeatedly pummeled him till he was unconscious. Ewens suffered from a fractured cheekbone. Adams then fled on foot but was later arrested in him home.

3/10/05- Vista, CA – Man Attacks Ex-wife with Tire Iron

At around 9 a.m., Harry Hemphill, 41, walked into his ex-wife’s workplace and severely beat her with a tire iron. He went straight to her office and locked her in there with him at Maric College, a technical college. Other co-workers tried to rescue her but he inflicted serious wounds to her head. He then fled the scene only to be captured later that night. As the college also had a nursing school, the victim was able to receive immediate medical attention before she was transferred to a hospital.

2/24 – Hoosick, NY – Co-Worker is Stabbed When Horse-play Goes to Far

Pedro Ortiz, an employee of WCW Inc., allegedly stabbed another employee after the two were “horsing around”. Other co-workers state that the two were friends but that a scuffle just got out of hand. The victim allegedly threw an object at Ortiz who told him to stop it or else. A fight ensued when the offender stabbed the victim for times with a seam-ripper, a tool used at the mattress company. Co-workers quickly broke the fight up and the victim was sent to the hospital to tend to his wounds.

AU Nurses Demand Safer Work Conditions

The Australian Nursing Federation has petitioned the government to increase safety measures at the Launceston General Hospital psychiatric Ward 1E. Due to the number of violent assaults on staff, the following adaptations are requested: Staff shall be notified when a client with a history of violent behavior was to be admitted; all admissions are assessed through the emergency department and not just dropped off at the door of 1E with no warning; and the high dependency unit should be staffed with at least two people at all times. There were additional requests surrounding 24-hour security and the appropriate training of the response team. The Federation fears that if these measures are not adopted, it will lead to senior and highly qualified nurses leaving the unit.

Employee and Client of VA Hospital Sentenced for Shooting- Murfreesboro, TN

A criminal court case was settled recently regarding a shooting at the Alvin York VA Medical Center two years ago. Michael Gardner was a janitorial supervisor and was receiving medical attention for his mental health issues. However, he was receiving counseling and medication from a pharmacist who was not authorized to provide such treatment. He was documented for having ''homicidal ideations''. Then on Oct. 7, 2003, he walked the hallways of the hospital firing birdshot at co-workers and at responding police officers. He then dropped his shotgun and surrendered before anyone was injured. He received an 8-year sentence. A federal tort claim against the hospital is still pending.

3/4/05 Lubbock, TX Man Turns Himself to Police After Shooting Girlfriend

Just after 1 p.m., Erica Perez was parking her car after returning from her lunch break from the Cingular Call Center. That is when 22-year-old Raymon Montelongo Junior blocked her car with his black Monte Carlo and jumped in the car with her. After witnesses heard them arguing, they heard two gunshots. Montelongo the drove to the Lubbock police department where he turned himself in. The officers arrested him and confiscated the .380 handgun used in the murder. The two were not married but did live together.

3/2 Springfield, MO - Woman Attacked with Baseball Bat by Ex-Boyfriend

A women was beaten with a baseball bat by her ex-boyfriend who was lying in wait as she arrived at work. Michelle Bond was in the parking lot the Mihlfeld & Associates Global Transportation Systems office when she was assaulted about 7:15. a.m. She suffered injuries to her arms as she tried to defend her self and was also struck in the head before the bat broke. There was at least one other employee who witnessed the assault. The assailant then fled and evade capture. Bond was taken to the hospital and is expected to recover.

Gun Rights Legislation in the Workplace in Montana House of Representatives

House Bill 693 would forbid businesses from prohibiting employees from keeping guns in vehicles parked in the company parking lot, among other gun rights. The bill sponsor Rep. Jack Wells, R-Bozeman states that it will allow people to use their guns in self-defense, which theoretically would deter criminals. Law-enforcement representatives raised issues in the House Judiciary Committee. One change was the elimination of language requiring employers who prohibit employees from carrying guns in their vehicles to provide additional security at the workplace. The law would also allow students to keep guns in their vehicles in school parking lots. It has yet to go to the Senate.

3/2 Lafayette, LA – Motel Clerk Killed by Ex-Boyfriend

Jennifer Herring, 31, was shot and killed just after 1 p.m. by her ex-boyfriend Francis Vallery Jr. Vallery had made numerous death threats to her during the day. Herring had contacted the police who responded to take a report and advised her to go to a shelter. She was in process of finding someone to take over her shift as a front desk receptionist when Vallery had came in to the Microtel Inn and shot her several times in the chest. He then fled and is sought by the police. Herring is the mother of 4 children.

2/21 Pascagoula, MS - Co-Worker Talks Shooter into Releasing Weapon

Alexander L. Lett, 41 wounded two supervisors at the Northrop Grumman Ship Systems shipyard around 6:20 a.m. There were about 30 other workers in the warehouse when Lett started firing a 9 mm semiautomatic pistol. One of the employees, Leo Coleman, was able to talk him into surrendering his weapon. He was later taken custody by Northrop security. Lett was apparently not satisfied with his work assignments where he was a quality assurance inspector for over 20 years. Co-workers stated that Lett had not received a vacation he planned and was possibly on the verge of being fired.

Emergency Physicians Surveyed for Violence Risk

A recent study of emergency departments in Michigan was released in the Annals of Emergency Medicine showed at over ¾ of 171 emergency physicians surveyed experienced at least one violent act within the previous year. While this included verbal threats, 28% were physically assaulted. Nearly 12% were confronted outside the ED and 3.5% were stalked.
Amazingly enough, this led to 42% of the doctors seeking personal protection, including obtaining a gun (18%) or a knife (20%). Emergency doctors encounter criminals brought to the hospital as a result of their crime, intoxicated patients and distraught family members of clients.
The study also looked at psychiatrists, internists and family doctors. There were numerous anecdotes of physicians assaulted by patients at their office and in their homes, often by disgruntled former patients.

"Workplace violence: A survey of emergency physicians in the State of Michigan,"Annals of Emergency Medicine, abstract, online exclusive (www2.us.elsevierhealth.com/scripts/om.dll/serve?action=searchdb&searchdbfor=art&arttype=abs&id=as0196064404015045&nav=abs)

New Hampton, NY Psychiatric Hospital Workers Protest Risk of Violence

Even the most dangerous jobs can lead the workers to protest. At the Mid-Hudson Forensic Psychiatric Center, the security hospital aides were picketing outside as the institution was being inspected by the Joint Hospital Accreditation Commission during their re-accreditation process. The aides claim that their work is too dangerous and that the policies and protocols put them at risk. When the clients, charged with violent crimes and who are being examined to determine their fitness for trial, become aggressive, they are put in room with an open door with two aides standing outside. Policies allegedly prohibit restraints or isolation. Hospital figures show about 25 assaults a month but protesters claim that it is much higher. They are not striking but trying to draw attention to the risk that they face. Recent assaults included an employee getting a concussion and other worker being sexually assaulted.

2/9 Totawa, NJ- Scientist Murdered by Co-Worker, Which One Being Investigated

A scientist, Geetha Angara, was found at the bottom of a water-filled shaft in early February but it was not an accident as the investigating law enforcement agency has ruled it a homicide. Further investigation has determined that it must have been a co-worker due to the restrictions in access to her workplace, however they have not named anyone as a suspect. Angara, a 43-year-old mother of three from Holmdel was either pushed or shoved into the underground container at the Passaic Valley Water Commission's water treatment plant. The access panel to the tank was in place when she was found, meaning someone replaced it after she went in. The 85 other employees have been interviewed and even had DNA samples taken but continue to work together.

2/24 Los Angeles, CA- City Worker Kills Supervisor and Co-Worker with AK-47

The shooting took place around 5 p.m. in the maintenance yard of the municipality’s maintenance yard. Allegedly, the supervisor reprimanded the assailant for coming to work late. Shot and killed his supervisor and other co-worker who was in the line of fire.
Then drove to the police station and turned himself in. The assault rifle was found in his car. The division had been working extremely hard in 12-hour shifts managing the damage of the heavy rains impacting the area.

2/18 Taylor, MI - Fired Worker Wounds Supervisor, Kills Translator

Gustavo De-Jesus Vanegas, 31 was just fired from the International Paper Co. when he went out to his car and returned with a handgun at approximately 4:20 pm. He then confronted his supervisor in the hallway. . When a female co-worker tried to intervene, Vanegas shot and wounded the supervisor and then shot and killed the woman. She had just served as a translator for the fired worker during the termination meeting. The wounded supervisor and another worker tackled the assailant and held him till officers arrived. He alledgly was fired for poor performance issues.

2/12/05 Mokopane, South Africa - Nurse Stabbed to Death by Boyfriend in Hospital

On Saturday afternoon, the boyfriend of a nurse entered the hostpital where she was working and attacked her with a knife. He stabbed her several times and she died at the scene. The man was arrested on the spot and was charged with her murder.

Oregon OSHA Department Under Investigation for Own Workplace Violence Issues

Within the Oregon OSHA department, there were apparently some issues surrounding workplace violence. A state Senate investigation is looking into allegations that supervisors ignored warning and concerns about a particular employee. This employee was later fired last year for allegedly assaulting a number of other co-workers. The 22 year old, unidentified employee was fired but for unspecified reasons. It was also reportedly an issue with the disability rights of the employee as they had apparent impairment. The larger issue, according to the investigation, is that lack of trust from the employees to come forward and disclose concerns with management. Allegedly, a supervisor who attempted to address the issue was later fired.

2/9/05 Bucyrus, OH - Man Attempts to Kidnap Co-Worker/Girlfriend

Dereck Hensley, 21 was arrested after evading police for trying to kidnap his girlfriend from their workplace. Both worked at the Baja Marine Corp. where he walked in at 8:32 a.m. and tried to get his girlfriend to come outside. He was pulling on her arm and had one hand in his jacket pocket. She told him that she would go but needed her cigarettes. She then whispered to her co-workers that she needed help. Hensley was escorted from the building and once outside, he brandished a 9mm handgun. He fled but was later apprehended by law enforcement.

1/05/05 Sunbury, PA - Man Pleads Guilty to Kidnapping, Murdering Estranged Wife

James Frey is pleading guilty to the murder of his estranged 45-year-old wife, Debra Frey. He kidnapped her from her workplace Runnerless Knits. He then drove out the country side where he shot her twice before shooting himself in the chest. He survived his wounds and contacted for help. Frey initially said he wasn’t guilty of kidnapping his estranged wife because he claimed that she wanted to go to a motel room after he forcibly picked her up at her place of employment.

2/7/05 Chesterfield, VA - Gun Returned to Worker Who Fired at Boss

Elwood Lewis came to his workplace at Quality Building Products armed with a handgun. After arguing with his boss and other employees, he fired at his employer but missed. Two co-workers tackled him and removed the weapon from him. However, after promising to leave, the co-workers gave the gun back to him, first removing the shells. Lewis went out to his car and reloaded his weapon but was stopped by arriving officers. He fired at the police but did not injure anyone. He was talked into surrendering and no one was injured.

Early February York, AL- Two Workers Assault Supervisor

Two workers were charged with assault for attacking a supervisor, Julius Watson. It is unknown what the altercation was about but Justin Michale Haire and Deon Derrick Jackson were arrested for pummeling their supervisor when the officers arrived. There were charged with the assault. The supervisor was admitted to the hospital to care for his injuries.

Early February- Baton Rouge, LA - Ex-employee Fires at Former Co-worker

A worker entered his former workplace and fired a weapon at a former co-worker. Michael Ozerdem, 21, went to James T-Martin Janitorial Supply Company where the previous week he had an argument with the targeted worker. Ozerdem then walked off the job. The perpetrator later turned himself into the police. The victim’s injuries are not life threatening.

1/28/05 Rockland, ME – Employee Kills Business Owner After She Tries to Break Up With Him

Douglas Dyer, 31, shot and killed 30-year-old Allison Small after she tried to end an affair with him. She and her husband ran a small transportation company where Dyer worked as a part-time trucker. Her husband dropped her off at their business around noon so that she could meet with Dyer, allegedly to end the relationship. However, when her husband came back about 45 minutes later, he saw her running from the assailant wounded from the shooting. Dyer then shot at the husband who escaped without injury. Dyer then fled only to turn himself in several hours later. The police had be called to the business a few days earlier but it is unknown for the cause.

Lawsuit Against Convenience Store in NM

The estate of a murdered clerk is suing the Allsup's Convenience Store Chain over lack of Security in Hobbs, NM. Elizabeth Garcia, the mother of 3 young children, was working the graveyard shift on January 16th. She was reported missing from her job but was later found in a nearby field with 57 stab wounds. The suit seeks compensation for aggravating circumstances damages, punitive damages, costs of litigation, and other relief. The central complaint revolves the lack of cameras and that she had to work alone during her shift. The lawsuit also lists a couple of incidents where other Allsup's clerks were killed while working alone on the graveyard shift and requests by an employee to have two clerks on the shift.

1/05 Canada; Employment Worker Stabbed by Client

A client stabbed a worker at the Ministry of Human Resources of Victoria, Canada in mid-January. This tragedy underscores the increased stress and risk government workers face since the recent closure of 63 other employement offices across the province, cutting staff by over 35 percent.

1/2/05 Caribou ME; Coffee Shop Worker Kills Supervisor

On January 2nd, Christopher Shumway, 19, murdered his supervisor Erin Sperrey, 20, for allegedly rejecting his requests to go out with him. The two worked in a coffee shop in Caribou, ME and were alone when Shumway cornered Sperrey in the back room where he kicked and beat her mercilessly. He then reportedly went back on to the floor where he waited on several customers while she died from her injuries. Sperrey’s mother stated that her daughter was too polite to tell Shumway no but instead made up excuses about why she couldn’t go out with him. He later put Sperrey in her car but later abondoned the vehicle on the roadside. Although $1,200 was also missing from the shop, police do not believe that robbery was a motive. Shumway was later found in a Bangor hotel the next day.

1/26/05 Toledo Ohio Jeep Factory Worker Shoots 3 Supervisors; Kills Self

At a Toledo, OH Jeep plant, an employee shot three supervisors on January 26th. Myles Meyers, 54, walked in the plant about 8:45 pm with a double barreled shotgun and demanded to see his supervisors. He pointed the gun at a co-worker and ordered her to call the targets of his rage. He killed one supervisor and wounded two others before shooting himself in the head. He had recently been put on an in-house three day suspension for a minor infraction. However, the day before, he met with management and representatives from the union to discuss work quality issues. The meeting went reportedly well but Meyers did not show up on time for his next shift. He later appeared with the weapon, seeking out his supervisors. Once the police found his body, they needed to bring in a bomb squad after finding wires protruding from underneath his clothes. This was later discovered to be from a sling he fashioned to hide the 20-gauge under this jacket.

1/19/05 Canadian Mental Health Worker Fatally Stabbed by Client

In Vancouver, mental health steward, John David Bland, was fatally stabbed by a client in the Richmond Mental Health Office parking deck on January 19th. As Bland was leaving work, he was stabbed numerous times and was later found by co-workers. He was able to state the name of the offender, Roy Dalen, before he lost consciousness. Bland was a vocational therapist who helped people prepare for jobs with community organizations and private companies and had worked in the mental health field for more than 30 years. Tragically, he had only 2 more shifts before he was set to retire.

GM Employee Stabs Another Over Workplace Dispute

In Marion, IN on January 20th, Gary Thomas stabbed George Dyer just before 1 a.m. in the General Motors plant. In an apparent an argument over workplace conditions that escalated into a stabbing. Reportedly, both of the men became agitated because their jobs were interfering with one another.

Woman Abducted by Business Partner

A woman was kidnapped from the parking lot of her employment as she arrived to work by a man that she had a business acquaintance. The victim worked TADD Tech Temp Services at the Alamo Downs Business Park in San Antonio, TX. On January 13th, Richard Crespo, 42, had met her outside at 11 am where they had an altercation. Crespo allegedly brandished a gun and took her hostage by forcing her into a black mini-van. Witnesses state that they saw him hitting her and heard gunshots. The police soon found him and followed him to a motel where he held the victim hostage for over 18 hours. He released her before dawn but did not surrender himself till police tear-gassed his room 2 hours later. She had met him at a chess tournament and held helped in his enterprise selling chess items but he reportedly became obsessed with her, sending her flowers at least once a week and once 3 times in one day. She had reportedly tried to break off the relationship.

Even if they were not in an intimate relationship, the perpetrator believed that they were. The stalking and control behaviors are the same.

Supervisor Saves Employee from Assault

Again on January 9th, in Bridgeport, CT, there was an incident with no murders or injuries because a supervisor was able to prevent an employee from being attacked. Three teen-ager women went into a clothing store to threaten another teen-age cashier. The supervisor sent her into the back office and had to hold back the other young women from following. The assailants had been calling the store to see if the employee was working. One of them was previously an employee at the store but was fired after an altercation with the targeted worker.

Young Man Killed by Other Youth

In a truly tragic story, a young man, 18-year old Thanushan Jeyakumaran from Sri Lanka was abducted from a Toronto super-market where regularly worked double-shifts. At about 8:50 pm on January 14th, at least 3 assailants kidnapped him and took him to a near by park where they struck him repeatedly with sharp objects. He was left to bleed to death but was found about 20 minutes after the assault. However, he later died in the hospital. Several other young Sri Lankan Tamils were arrested for his murder in what the police believe was a gang hit. However, all associates and co-workers state that Jeyakumaran was not involve in any criminal activity and was known as a peacemaker. He worked constantly but sent 75% of his earning home to save for his parents to move to Canada.

This relates to the domestic violence threat to the workplace as it was an employee’s personal life or situation that led to the violence. Although it is unknown if the victim was aware of the danger, it is crucial for workers to feel comfortable in warning their employer about any concerns.

Employee Stabs Co-workers and Clients at Retirement Home

On Sunday, January 9th in Alexandria, VA, a worker attacked six people in a retirement home, injuring residents, co-workers and visitors. He was reported to keep repeating, "She didn't respect me," as he went on his rampage. Mustafa Mohamed, 30, was a housekeeping employee and at first appearance did not seem to be likely candidate for workplace violence. He was not experiencing any negative employment actions taken against him and had no incidents of violence from his criminal background check. However, looking into the case a little more closely reveals that Mohamed had been accused of assault before when he worked at a CVS store in 2003. Reportedly, a co-worker laughed at him for tripping over some boxes and then was assaulted, however those charges were dropped. Because there was no conviction, the pre-employment background check did not reveal the incident. No one was killed but one of the victims, whose neck was broken, remained hospitalized and another resident required 200 stitches. A visitor was able to spray him with pepper-spray, survive an knife attack and then convince him to sit down. At this point, he was reported to keep mumbling the word -“Respect.”

Again, this emphasizes the strongest prevention measure. It is not criminal background checks, it is not surveillance cameras or ID-controlled entries. It is creating and maintaining a healhty and respectful relations. Even if the workplace had such an environment, it is how the perpetrator feels that is the crucial factor.

Employee Plans Robbery of Bowling Alley

In a deadly combination of co-worker and stranger types of workplace violence, a clerk at Harpo's Lanes Bowling Alley in Kalamazoo, MI, was killed in a senseless robbery on January 9th. It was just before Noon when two men entered the facility wearing masks and carrying guns. They tied up three employees but then shot and killed 41-year-old Steven Kerr near the front counter. The gunman escaped but were later caught only to find a tragic twist to the story. An employee of the store, 17 year old Dominica Sims, was allegedly the one who devised the crime. The mother of 3-month old baby was working that morning and apparently knew where the business kept the deposits. She and a partner are held without bail while a third suspect is currently on the loose.

This demonstrates the frequent case of robberies and theft coming from a company’s own employees. A criminal background check would not have revealed any concerns as Sims had a clean record.

Estranged Husband Kills 3 in Tenn. State Garage

On Tuesday the 11th, three people were killed in a Tennessee Dept. of Transportation maintenance garage in Jackson. 40-year-old David Lynn Jordan entered the facility around 11:30 am where his estranged wife, Donna Jordan, 31, had worked. Along with murdering her, he killed two men, neither of whom worked in the building. One man, an employee of another state agency, was getting his truck fixed and the other man was delivering a package. Two garage workers were also seriously wounded but survived. The assailant fled the scene but was soon apprehended without incident a few miles away. In his pickup truck was found an arsenal including an SKS assault rifle with multiple clips, a 12-gauge shotgun and two semi-automatic handguns. He is held without bond with murder and attempted murder charges. He had a prior criminal history of domestic assault.

Woman escapes from kidnapper

A woman escaped after being held captive for three days by a man she had once dated. Lori S. Wagner, 41 worked as a dispatcher for Nu-Way Transportation Service where she met truck driver Michael J. Diekhoff, age 42. However, she later charged him with harassing phone calls and he is the prime suspect in an arson investigation surrounding an incident where home was set on fire. In Bloomington, IL., at approximately 6 am on January 6th, she was allegedly abducted from her company’s parking lot as she arrived for work. Co-workers called the police when her car and cell phone were found outside in the lot but she was not at her desk. She was taken across state-lines but escaped from his truck on January 8th in Sioux Falls, S.D. Diekhoff had previously served 10 years in an Indiana prison for attempting to murder a former girlfriend with a handgun.

Employee Stabs Co-worker in Chinese Restaurant

On December 22, Daxiang Ye, 23, reportedly stabbed a co-worker Ishmal Antemate, age 42. The assault occurred in the morning around 10 am at the Hong Kong Buffet in Wisconsin. The conflict has been described as a workplace dispute. Antemate was rushed to the hospital where he is in critical condition. Ye has been charged with aggravated battery and first degree recklessly endangering safety. He is being held on $50,000 cash bail and was forced to turn over his Chinese Passport.

City Housing employee stabbed to death by resident

A resident and employee at the Chester Towers in Philadelphia was stabbed to death by a former neighbor. Jessie Wilson Anderson just started her shift as a recpetionist at the City Housing Authority office when David Alonzo Bentley came in and attacked her on the morning of August 26th. A worker, who was just finishing her shift, and an elderly resident were the only witnesses. They both claim that Bentley, who had recently moved out of the facility, walked in and immediately starting stabbing Anderson. He then left the scene in a calm manner. He was later apprehended and is charged with murder. Apparently, the two had confrontations before and Anderson’s sister claims that he had made previous threats to the victim. At the time of the incident, Bentley was currently out on bond while awaiting trial on another assault, this one against an elderly resident of the same apartment building.

Document from workplace violence trial points finger at pharmacutical company

A workplace violence case almost 16 years old has resurfaced in recent allegations against a pharmacutical company. Eli Lilly and Co. has come under increasing scrutiny for the reported side effects of its antidepressant Prozac. The British Medical Journal claims to have reportedly missing documents from a 1994 trial holding Lilly responsible for the murder of 8 people on september 14th, 1989. Joseph Wesbecker was a printing press operator who was on disability leave for mental health reasons. He was reportedly taking fluoxetine, the generic name for Prozac, when he returned to his company armed with an AK-47, two Mac-10s and two other pistols. He killed 7 co-workers, wounding 12 others (one of which later died 4 days later). He then killed himself.
In the subsequent civil trial, a 1988 document allegedly testifies to the risks of drug to increase suicidal and homicidal tendencies. The study illustrates that 1.6 percent of patients reported incidents of hostility, over twice the rate reported on tests with four other commonly used antidepressants. Additionally, 0.8 percent of users of Prozac reported to have caused an intentional injury, a figure that is eight times the rate associated with any of the other antidepressants. The plaintiff in the case, surviving members of one of the victims claimed that Eli Lilly had known about the side effects of increasing a user's propensity to violence. Lilly won the court case but was later forced to reveal that they secretly settled the suit.
A statement on the company's Web site states, "To our knowledge, there has never been any allegation of missing documents from the Wesbecker trial or any other trial involving Lilly. Further, it has always been Lilly's objective to publicly disclose data about both the safety and efficacy of fluoxetine."

UK Railroad Worker Assaulted

A Network Rail employee was stuck by a brick, causing a large wound that required treatment, although the injuries were not serious. The episode started at 9.30pm on December 29th when a teenager tried to assault him in the hut at crossing gates. The gatekeeper tried to restrain the youngster by pulling him into the hut, the 16-year-old's friend helped him escape. After the incident, a brick was thrown through the window, hitting the worker on the head. The youth was identified and the British Transport Police went to the teenager's home to arrest him however, during the visit, an officer was allegedly also assaulted by the suspect.
Deborah Richards, of Network Rail, said: “We take attacks against our staff very seriously and want to protect them from this unacceptable conduct. Our employees have the right to dignity at work and a workplace free from threats and violent or insulting behavior.” The company recently launched a campaign to try to crack down on abusive and violent behavior towards its employees.

Assaults on Oregon Mental Health Workers Rise

In Oregon, the workers at the state-run mental health facilities for criminals are concerned about their safety. At the Oregon State Hospital, 208 injuries were recorded through October, up from 185 in 2003. The reason is mostly due from assaults from clients. One issue that is commonly raised by employees is that the patients are not charged for their crimes unless they are of the most serious felony assaults, causing severe injury. All others are handled through the hospital’s administration and not the judicial system. Additionally, while it is a crime for inmates to throw bodily fluids on corrections officers, this same behavior is not considered to be criminal if committed against a hospital worker. In 2 recent cases whereas an employee was seriously injured after being struck with a toilet seat and after a nurse was beaten by an inmate, new security measures have been put in place such as video surveillance. However, more staff, less crowding of inmates and other precautions are requested by the union of hospital workers.

Israeli Teacher Killed by Husband in Front of Students

On December 29, Sammy Gizawi was released from jail after he was arrested for the murder of his wife two weeks earlier on December 14th. He was conspiring with his brother who shot her. She was parking her car as she arrived at the school where worked as a kindergarten teacher when the assault occurred. She was shot 5 times and was rushed to the hospital where she later died. Her brother, who was also charged and still being held in detention, then fled the scene. Several children, also arriving at the school witnessed the crime. It alleged that the murder was an “honor-killing”, due to an alleged affair she was having.

Man kills co-worker in Minnesota

Douglas J. Saunders allegedly entered Fast Distributing Inc. of Mountain Lake, MN about 7:30 a.m. on December 17th and shot co-worker Howard O. Hockel with a shotgun. Hockel died on the scene while Saunders was arrested after a brief chase by authorities. Investigators are not considering the shooting a workplace crime because the two men had previous contacts with each other and that the incident stemmed from a non-work related issue.

Two Incidents- Similar Situation: Elderly Women Killed by Blow to Head

Earlier, just after Thanksgiving, we brought you two similar cases of women killed at work by their husbands. Again, we find a pair of cases that are oddly common. In two separate incidents, separated by thousands of miles, two elderly women were found dead in the small businesses that they owned. Both were killed by blunt force trauma to the head. Carrie Billeaud was killed in New Iberia, LA on December 13th at her store, Glenn Billeaud Pump and Water Well Service. There are yet to be any suspects. Mary Ann Clibbery, 69, was killed a week later on the 21st inside Al Zullo's Remodeling Specialists in Loves Park, IL. Clibbery death has been attributed to her business partner, George Hansen.

Report on Workplace Violence in Wakefield, Mass.

On December 26th, 2000, Michael McDermott, an engineer at the Edgewater Technology murdered 7 co-workers in Wakefield, Massachusetts. In response, the State’s Public Safety Department developed a range of studies and reports, one of the latest being a report developed by the Wakefield Police Department and the Northeastern University. This 2004 study of focus groups and employee surveys provided information on the prevalence of workplace violence, various perceptions of the problem and proposed solutions.
Among the finding, overtly threatening behavior was the most commonly cited form of workplace violence behavior. While robberies were noted as the most frequent type, verbal threats came in second. Females tended to be more aware of how domestic violence is a serious risk to the workplace and appeared to have more concerns about violence exhibited at work in general. Although managers and employees indicated that they experience the same rate of violence, managers were less concerned about the issue compared to their employees. This was especially true in the high-tech industries. Most of those who had experienced some form of workplace violence did not make a report because they believed that it was not important enough. In terms of police support, almost half wanted bulletins regarding local crimes, especially near their businesses and about a third wanted increased patrolling during certain times of the day.

The full report is available from the Wakefield Police Department at http://www.wakefieldpd.org/Pages/WakefieldPD_WebDocs/Articles/workplace_violence.pdf

Please contact jlee@peaceatwork.org if you have trouble opening the page. You will need Acrobatic Reader as it is a .pdf file.

UPS Worker in Sioux City, Iowa Stabs Co-Worker

Drew S. Johnson, 18, stabbed co-worker Terry Ogden, 26 after the two men argued about the rough handling of packages at the UPS distribution center where they worked. They agreed to “settle the matter” across the street when their shift was over. The stabbing occurred around 8:45 p.m on December 9th. Ogden survived after being treated; Johnson has been charged with the assault.

Teacher Murdered by Husband at Canadian School

Nearly two thousand students were locked down at their school for several hours after an ESL teacher, Aysegul Candir, was shot by her husband in the parking lot. Police have charged her 62 year-old husband, Erhun Candir for the murder which took place December 10th in Mississuaga, Ontario.
According to friends, Candir had suffered for years of abuse and had waited till her husband had left the country on a vacation to their native Turkey before leaving him. Afterward, she was reportedly anxious that he was stalking the school where she had worked.
The husband, a flight instructor for Air Canada, was reported by witnesses to simply walk away after the shooting and drive slowly from the crime scene. He was later arrested at their home without incident.

The Benevolent Society Urges Businesses to Address Domestic Violence

The Benevolent Society of Australia has made a public announcement urging businesses to address domestic violence in the workplace. In this new campaign launched to create awareness among employers, they provide some startling statistics regarding the impact of abuse on the business economy.
From The Office for the Status of Women report released in July 2004, the total annual cost of domestic violence in Australia in 2002-03 was estimated to be $8 billion ($6,035,618,633 US Dollars). Employers paid for around 70% of the work hours lost by staff affected by domestic violence. The total cost of abuse-related absenteeism that year amounted to $280 million ($211,212,529 US Dollars). On top of that, over 250,000 working hours were lost due to staff affected by domestic violence running late for work, or leaving early - and that amounted to a cost of $5.5 million ($4,148,817 US Dollars). An extraordinary 30% of those dealing with domestic violence at home are also harassed by their controlling partners at work, equating to a further 61,000 working days lost to business - valued at $8.3 million ($6,265,387 US Dollars). Currency rates based on conversions made on 12/14/04 at xe.com.
For more information on The Benevolent Society’s effort, please visit http://www.bensoc.asn.au/donations/dv_appeal_04.html

Security Shield Drops Assault Rate on Taxi-Cab Drivers

One security implementation has demonstrated a dramatic effect on the safety of taxi-cab drivers in Baltimore. Apparently due to a mandatory shield regulation which went into effect in August of 1996, the number of assaults and robberies against drivers went down 62% from the first six months of 1997 compared to the same time the previous year. The most astounding finding is that sedan services, that were not required to place a shield between the passenger and driver sections, had a leap of a 1100% increase in the number of crimes during the same time period. During the 1997, there were two murders of taxi-cab drivers however one of which occurred while the shield was in the down, retracted position.
These statistics were just released by Baltimore Police Department and clearly demonstrate the benefit of simple technology to preserve the safety of taxi-cab drivers, the most dangerous profession in the nation.

NC Supreme Court case on whether an employee can be fired for being a victim

A landmark case was tried on December 7th in the North Carolina Supreme Court as to whether employers can fire a victim of domestic violence simply because of their status as victims. James Edwards Imes was a bus driver with the city of Asheville when he was fired after his wife had shot him in the stomach in 2001. Though Imes passed away earlier this year due to an unrelated illness, the issue is still a vital concern to many employment rights and victim advocates. 29 agencies and organizations from across the state and nation signed onto an amicus brief in support of the case.
The heart of the issue is the “at- will” doctrine that allows employers to hire and fire at their discretion. Aside from discrimination issues, this flexibility is argued to be the right of employers to run their business according to their judgement. However, the plaintiff and the supporting groups argue that it is contrary to the recent efforts made by the State to offer support and protection to victims at work and thereby a violation of public policy.
Decision is pending with a result expected in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

North Carolina man displays firearm at former workplace

Israel Yarbrough, 39, of Rocky Mount, allegedly came through a back door into the Newbold Corperation factory where he was fired from the day before. It is just before 7:45 p.m. on December 7th when he brandished a long arm, rifle or shotgun, from under his coat. About a dozen employees fled with no one being injured. When authorities arrived, he had already fled. He was later arrested at the home of a relative.

South African woman killed at work by husband

Tragically similar to the murder-suicide in Chapel Hill NC, a Pretoria woman named Dikeledi Onica Nkatingi, was murdered by her husband, Vicki. At almost the same time, 7:30 am on Novermber 29th, she went to her car with the assailant to retrieve some personal items of his when he shot her three times with a 9 mm handgun, once in the hand and twice in the chest. Just as the North Carolina case, the assault occurred in the parking lot of the place where she worked as a receptionist for an arms manufacturing plant. The husband, a security guard, fled the scene in her vehicle but turned himself in to the authorities soon thereafter.
She too had obtained a restraining order which proved to be useless. Allegations that Nkatingi had help from police friends, releasing him from jail, threatening the victim's family and offering him a firearm, are being investigated. The police officer suspected of providing this support is currently being sought by authorities.

Local UK government asked employers to support domestic violence victims at work

The Devon and Cornwall Criminal Justice Board in the United Kingdom has written letters to 150 largest employers this week encouraging them to develop a domestic violence policy. As domestic abuse is recognized as a primary source of the total crime and violence statistics in their communities, companies are asked to pledge support for their employees who may be victims of domestic violence and to introduce protection measures in the workplace.

Australia tallies the cost of Domestic Violence to businesses

On November 29th, the Victorian Government in Australia released a report on the economic impact of domestic violence to businesses. An average annual of $1.5 billion (estimated at $1,136,625,000 in US dollars) is lost due to productivity, absenteeism and indirect costs. The abuse makes its impact on job performance including poor concentration, depression, stress and anxiety. An estimated $1 billion was lost to business and corporations through their tax share of services needed to deal with family violence, including hospital admissions, counseling and support services.

Chapel Hill, NC Woman killed outside of her office

Shennel McKendall was murdered as she returned to work from a long Thanksgiving weekend. On November 29th, as she walked with co-workers to the entrance of her building at the UNC Hospital administrative offices, she was confronted by her husband, Randy McKendall. He used a handgun to shoot her and then he killed himself. The incident was even more tragic as the victim had tried to seek protection by obtaining a restraining order earlier in the month. In this short period of time, he violated that order twice and attempted suicide by drug overdose. Despite these clear warning signals of lethality, he was released on bail, obtained a weapon he denied owning and committed the atrocity.
This incident occured just a few hundred yards from the Friday Center where a landmark conference on domestic violence in the workplace occured a little more than a year ago.

Woman murdered by man she tried to divorce

In Australia, a 61 year old woman, Carol Schaer, was killed in the department store where she had worked since 1997. On the morning of November 17th, her husband, Simon Schear, 69, shot her multiple times and she later died after being rushed to the hospital.
The murder occurred the day after the divorce papers were delivered to him, four days earlier than when she had anticipated. She had planned to take work off and not be in town the day she expected her former husband to be served the papers. She was to go on a short vacation with her new partner whom she had lived with for the past 6 years and whom she had planned to marry this January. It is unknown why the divorce papers were served earlier than anticipated.
Schaer was charged with murder and will face trial early next year. Just hours prior to the shooting, he had left his two rottweilers in the care of a former student, telling her that he was going on holidays.

Wal-Mart repeatedly evacuted due to bomb threats by ex-employee

A former Wal-Mart employee made two bomb threats to a store in Marysville, Washington the week before Thanksgiving.
Wesley Gene Dorris, 29, was arrested at his new place of employment after the phone calls were traced. During the same time period, another call was placed by a 15-year-old boy who made similar threats against the same store.
While no bombs were ever found, managers estimated the loss of about $500,000 in retail sales as the store was evacuated and closed for several hours.
During the investigation, Dorris stated that he made the fake bomb threats as he believed that he was unjustly fired.

Random assault on Florida Radio Shack kills two people

On the evening of November 18th, Justin Cudar entered the electronics store and opened fire, using a 9mm Glock that he had purchased just weeks before. Both a customer and a store clerk died at the retail shop located in St. Petersburg and another employee was critically wounded. Cudar, 25, a psychology major at the University of South Florida, had no apparent relationship with anyone at the store nor was he trying to commit a robbery. Cudar was being investigated for a road-rage incident that occurred earlier in the day. He allegedly threw a steering-wheel lock at another vehicle, smashing the windshield. His mother was quoted as stating that he had anger management issues. This is a unique case of workplace violence that only fits in the Type 1 category. However, the motive was robbery or sexual assault as is the case with most incidents of this class.

New law allowing employee guns in parking lot blocked

The Whirlpool Corporation in Tulsa, Oklahoma sued to block a new law that would have allowed employees to keep a firearm in their cars in the company parking lot. The law would have taken effect November 1st but a federal judge blocked it.
Whirlpool believes that its workplace violence policy on banning firearms even in the parking lot overrides the rights of gun owners. Along with local law enforcement, they believe that this measure is crucial to help ensure worker safety. It is argued that having a firearm would so accessible would increase the chances for a workplace violence incident to occur.
The gun rights advocates state that the employee have the right to protect themselves on the way to and back from their jobs. The law gained its impetus after 12 employees in Oklahoma (not known if they were Whirlpool employees) were fired for keeping a firearm in their car at work. Only Kentucky has a similar law in the US.

New Canadian Law against Workplace Bullying

A new legislative change to the Quebec's Labour Standards Act, dedicated to workplace violence and psychological harassment prevention, took effect June 1. As businesses realize the impact of bullying and abuse in the workplace on their bottom line, human resources personnel are exploring ways to address this issue.
Often, bullying is targeted at the most efficient employees, thereby having a direct effect on the bottom line. The financial impact to an employer can be felt in increased health care costs due to the stress of experiencing the abuse, absenteeism and high turn-over.
And there is the possible litigation, as demonstrated in the recent Kavanagh case. The Newfoundland Association of Public and Private Employees successfully sued the province for failing to prevent a campaign of harassment against an employee. The result was $875,000 in damages.
The programs and training that will address bullying and harassment is currently being explored and developed by managers in the province.

Two city officials fired for fighting in Penn.

Two hi-ranking city officials in Bethlehem, Penn., were fired for violating the workplace violence policy. Deputy Community Development Director Dana Grubb and Environmental Health Manager Harvey Joseph engaged in a fist fight on November 4th where Grubb suffered a broken nose and scratches on his neck.
There was some controversy as to how the fight started or who was responsible but due to the status of their positions and the level of attention that it received, both were terminated by the Mayor. Combined, both had worked for the city for about 57 years. Fellow employees say tensions between the two employees have existed for some time.

DV Victim wins FMLA case in Alaska

A police officer from Anchorage won in the November 12th Alaska Supreme Court ruling that stated that she was eligible for the Family and Medical Leave Act and had put her department on notice when she had stated that she needed time off to "get her life back together" due to the domestic abuse that she experienced along with other complications. (Anchorage v. Gregg, Alaska, No. S-10722, 11/12/04).
Despite not requesting for the leave specifically nor providing medical documentation at the time, the court ruled that the city employer violated her right to FMLA as her supervisors knew of the abuse and that she had requested time to recuperated. The diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, along with issues stemming from a previous car accident and pregnancy, all qualified her for the benefit.
"When an employee is actually incapacitated by illness, the failure to get a correct diagnosis cannot disqualify an employee from the Act's protection," Justice Alexander O. Bryner wrote for the unanimous court. "To hold that a doctor must agree, contemporaneously and at all times, that the employee is unable to work, places a burden on the employee that we find nowhere in the plain text of the Act, and ignores the reality of debilitating illness."

Thanks to Robin Runge of the Domestic Violence Commission of the American Bar Association for this information.

Domestic Violence Murder-Suicide at Palm Springs store

Irma Felix, 44, of Cathedral City was the owner of pet grooming business in Palm Springs where her former boyfriend, Oscar Hernandez, 42, assaulted and killed her on November 9th. Just as the store opened, he stormed and confronted her. A 911 tape caught the argument as an emergency call was made at the time. As officers arrived on the scene, they heard 3 gunshots and broke through the window to find both of them dead.
In July 2003, Felix filed for a TRO against Hernandez for trying to choke her. Despite the protective order he continued to harass, stalk and threaten her, even calling to say what clothes she was currently wearing. She had made frequent police reports and had him arrested in previous incidents.

Lawsuit against Harvard for workplace assault dismissed

A Middlesex County Superior Court judge dismissed an employee’s lawsuit against Harvard University. Beth A. Isabelle, a librarian, was assaulted on September 18, 2001 but did not file the lawsuit until three years after the event took place, a day before the three-year statue of limitations expired. Isabelle reports continued problems such as neck pain and headaches that renders her unable to even fold laundry. Her claim is that the University did not tell her that she was required to file an accident report, failed to provide ergonomic accommodations, and led her astray about her rights and responsibilities under workers’ compensation rules. The employee was awarded an $11,000 settlement in September 2002 but is appealing the decision to seek further damages. The University’s motion to dismiss the suit argues that Worker’s Compensation Act is the sole source of remedy for claims such as this and cannot be pursued through civil suits.

Fired employee stabs manager to death

On November 4th, the manager of a NY café was stabbed to death by a delivery person who was just fired. While the manager was know for being generous and flexible, the assailant became enraged when he was told he was being let go in the back of the restaurant. The 26 year old manager staggered to the tables area that was filled with customers with the knife still sticking out of his chest. The assailant fled and evaded capture.

Mental health patient assaults care-takers.

The Auckland-based Framework Trust in New Zealand provides mental health services for mentally and intellectually disabled people as well the dangerous. A young man who is patient struck a staff member in the head without warning on October 4th while they were out in public. The worker was not responsible for watching the client but was standing close by. The staff member was hospitalized with serious head injuries and concussion. The same client had struck another employee in the head with a cricket ball which then required stitches. Workers and family members are concerned about the safety and security of their positions. The government's Occupational Safety and Health department is holding an investigation.

Friend of fired employee takes plant captive

In a hostage situation that took place in Clayton, NC on Election Day, a friend of recently terminated employee came to the Caterpillar factory to demand answers. Pam Arizona, 55, entered the lobby armed with a shotgun and what appeared to be explosives (later determined to be fake), taking O’neil Simmons and two security guards hostage. Simmons had a TRO and criminal sexual assault charges place against him by the recently terminated employee, Arizona’s friend. The two co-workers had different shifts and so he was able to follow the stipulations of the order. The fired employee arrived at the scene and working with the hostage/negotiations team, convinced Arizona to free the captives unharmed and turn herself in.

Two new recent incidents

The result of two supervisors having an argument ended with one of them shooting and killing the other. Nathaniel Brittain used a Glock 9mm to murder fellow supervisor Christopher McDuffie at the Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., a poutry processing plant in Athens, GE on November 2nd. McDuffie died after being shot multiple times early in the morning. The two had apparently not worked well together and had a history of conflict. Employees who witnessed the shooting flagged down a passing law enforcement officer who took Brittain into custody without incident.

On November 3rd, 47-year old man was just leaving his job walking across the company parking lot when he was assaulted by 26 year- old Antwan Langhorne. Langhorne shot the victim twice in the leg and then fled. This occurred at the Fleet Pride Trucking Company in North Haven, Conn. Employees state that the victim knew the shooter and that there were problems before the assault. Langhorne is an ex-boyfriend of the victim’s daughter who is currently under police protection. Police are currently searching for Langhorne.

Suicide bomber tries to burn down children's center

A former manager a youth home rammed his explosives laden truck into a children center's administrative office on October 24th. Jim Malone had recently quit his job running a home for the Children's Aid Society due to frustrations about funding and staff level cuts.
After lighting two propane tanks in this truck, he rammed it through the glass door of the social services agency in Ontario, Canada early in the morning. None of the few workers inside were injured and there were no children there at the time. It is thought by some of those interviewed that he did not intend for anyone to be hurt except for himself. He was badly burned and stabbed himself after falling out the truck. The estimated cost of the incident is up to 1.5 million dollars with most of the damage caused from water damage from the sprinkler system.

Jobs counselor killed at FLA community college by husband

A man who murdered his wife in Florida was captured in Virginia the next day. Samuel White walked onto the campus of the Santa Fe Community College on the morning of October 27th where his estranged wife, Derother Denise White, worked as a counselor. He came up behind her with a knife and attacked, despite two co-workers trying to stop him. After fatally stabbing her, he fled in a car.
The murder took place the day before a scheduled dependency hearing for the four children that the couple shared. The victim tried to ensure the safety of herself and her children from the man who had twice been convicted of assaulting her, including getting a restraining order which he later violated. White was later arrested in Virginia when a store clerk called the police as he and his companions were acting suspicions.
Derother White worked at the job counselor helping disadvantaged youth stay in school, obtain employment skills and find meaningful jobs. White is charged with murder.

FBI Prevent likely Workplace Violence Massacre

A man was stopped before he could carry out his alleged plans to commit
catastrophic assault against his former workplace in Arizona. David Dugan
reportedly told a family member that he intended to sneak into the
basement of the Intel factory, turn on the gas and shoot up the pipes and
machinery, all while his former co-workers and supervisors were upstairs.

He had recently been terminated after a two year disability claims
dispute with the microprocessor factory. The family member notified
authorities as he was clearly capable of such action. He reportedly was suffering
from bi-polar disorder and had recently attempted suicide. On October 6th,
authorities had taken a large amount of ammunition from him although he
refused to surrender his weapons. However on October 20th, he obtained
an AK-47, 1,000 rounds of ammunition and 5 magazine clips. He then called
to tell a former co-worker of his new purchases. He had since been arrested by the FBI.

He is charged with the federal crime charges and is being held pending
grand jury hearing.

News report from The Arizona Republic