Everett: Man held on $2 million bail in connection with death of former roomate

An Everett man is held for investigation of murder in death of former roommate

Arturo Galindo Garcia, 29, was arrested Thursday shortly after police found the body of Euginio Renteria, 27, outside Cascadia Pointe Apartments in the 8100 block of Fifth Avenue W. Galindo Garcia told witnesses that he was fed up with the victim teasing him, according to court document, and he also complained about the teasing to a supervisor.
The two men worked together at National Foods in Everett and they also used to live together at the apartment complex. Renteria and another man walked out of the apartment, and Galindo Garcia followed, according to an affidavit filed in court. A witness told police that Galindo Garcia pulled a semiautomatic handgun from his pants pocket and shot Renteria once, according to court documents.

July 1 Waterfall, CT Karate Instructor Stabbed to Death by Boyfriend

Thomas C. Wood is charged with the murder of Sierra Giorgi whom he had met at Gabriele's Karate Kickbox Studio where she worked as a karate instructor. After dating for a short while, Giorgi wanted to end the relationship as she was afraid and suspicious of Wood. She even told her friends about her concerns about Wood in case something happened to her. After going out to dinner with a co-worker after work, she was later found stabbed to death in her car which was parked right outside the studio. Wood has been convicted before on stabbing a 67 year old man in 1990.

CLARIFICATION: 9/13/05
The perpetrator was not an employee of the studio and I am uncertain if he was a student. The unnamed co-worker with whom she had dinner with earlier in the night was not involved with this tragedy. While blog is about workplace violence, the definition includes violence from clients, intimate partners and even strangers. Workplace violence is violence that occurs in the workplace or vicinity.
I cannot express the sorrow and senselessness of this terrible loss. I only hope that by increasing awareness, future crimes can be prevented.

July 19th Baltimore, MD Worker Returns 2 Months after Fired at Manufacturing Plant

Levi A. White arrived at the H.R. Nicholson Co. plant at approximately 7:40 PM two months after was fired for allegedly sabotaging a $400,000 piece of equipment. He entered with a shotgun and asked for his former supervisor, Dennis Wilson. He shot Wilson at close range and then went outside, sitting in her car and waiting for arriving officers. After being ordered to drop his weapon, he pointed the shotgun at officers who shot him multiple times. White later died at the hospital. Records show that he was recently charged with smashing Wilson’s windshield with a brick and is suspected with spray painting the same car several weeks ago. In April, Wilson had caught White with wire cutters after a $400,000 piece of equipment was sabotaged, resulting in White’s dismissal.

Lockheed Lawsuit Denied- Appeals Court Rules it is a Workers Comp Case

A federal appeals court has denied the plaintiffs in a workplace violence lawsuit the right to sue the company where the tragedy occurred. On July 8th, 2003, Doug Williams killed six co-workers and injured nine others before committing suicide at the Lockheed Martin plant in Meridian, Mississippi.
One of the victim’s family members claimed that Williams was "known to harbor extreme racial hatred toward his African-American co-workers." Four of those murdered were African-American and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigated the shooting and said Williams created a "racially charged atmosphere" at the plant. The plaintiff’s, the surviving shooting victims and their families, claim that management knew Williams was a threat but did little to prevent the violence.
However, the higher court ruled that the exclusivity bar of workers' compensation law prohibits a lawsuit. Workers Compensation is generally ruled as the sole remedy for any injuries that employees experience “in the course of employment" and “that arise out of employment”. It limits damage to $150,000 per victim. The lawsuit sought unspecified damages. It is unknown if the plaintiff's will appeal to a higher court.

Husband accused of offering $20,000 for wife's rape and murder

July 14, 2005

A Massachusetts man tried to hire a hit man to rape and murder his wife in an effort to ensure he’d win a custody dispute. Ira Bloom, 46, or Springfield, Mass., wanted his wife abducted on her way to work and raped “over a period of days,” according to an affidavit. The affidavit describes a meticulously planned plot in which Bloom allegedly outlined when his wife arrives at work, where she parks and which days she does not have custody of their child. He allegedly insisted she be killed before August 12- the next court date in their custody dispute. Bloom allegedly provided his wife’s work address and a description of her car. Investigators said he promised to pay within 90 days, once he collected on his wife’s insurance policy. It is not the first time Bloom threatened to kill his wife, investigators said. He was under a restraining order until July 5 for “allegations of death threat.”

This article originally appeared at:
http://www.nynewsday.com/news/local/wire/connecticut/ny-bc-ct--murderforhire0714jul13,0,3604658.story?coll=ny-region-apconnecticut

July 14 Elmwood, LA Man kills wife, self, and 1 other

Thursday, July 14, 2005

Barbara Cavalier’s husband Chris Cavalier had been abusive towards her throughout their seven year marriage. Barbara decided to leave the relationship in January when Chris put a gun to her head. For six months Chris had no idea where she was living, and presumably had no face-to-face contact with her until he walked into the Elmwood siding supply business where Barbara was a data entry clerk, armed with 2 guns: a .45 caliber automatic pistol and a .357-caliber Magnum revolver. Authorities say Chris shot and killed his wife and another employee then took his own life. The other employee Chris murdered first was office manager Stephanie Revolta, 42, a friend of Barbara’s who stayed in the building to try and defuse the situation. Revolta made the first 911 call to authorities around 3:30 pm, but by the time a hostage negotiator arrived and members of the Sheriff’s Office SWAT team rushed the building, all three were dead.
Coworkers said Chris Cavalier had been harassing his wife all day, repeatedly calling and even stealing her truck. Barbara was reported to be afraid to go home Wednesday evening, fearing her estranged husband might find out where she was now living. After the couple’s split 6 months ago, Chris began to harass his wife at work, constantly calling her during the day. Doris Deckwa said she suspects he shot Revolta because she had hung up on him when he called Wednesday. When authorities searched Chris’s house they found a note assigning power of attorney and listing some valuables that Chris wanted to give away. This note lead authorities to believe that Chris knew the day would end in bloodshed when he left his house Wednesday.

Alabama: Bomb Threat to Day Care Center

Opelika, Ala. June 17, 2005

An Opelika, Alabama, woman was charged with calling in a bomb threat to the day care center where she worked. Jessica Kay Thornton, 20, apparently used her cell phone while at work to call in the bomb threat to Miss Deanna’s Daycare. Thornton is reportedly to have said, “There’s a bomb in your building” before hanging up the phone. All children and employees were evacuated from the day care center while firefighters searched the building. Thornton’s motive for calling in the threat is unclear.

Maryland: Ex-BGE employee returns to workplace firing gun shots

Miller, a 46-year-old, ex-Baltimore Gas and Electric Co, who worked with the company for 28 years returned to his place of employment and fired gun shots at the building. On Thursday afternoon around 5:30 p.m. Miller drove around to the back of the building where his supervisor Doreen Hartley, 40, has an office with a window. The supervisor saw him get out of a car with a weapon and ran for safety, and warned others. Miller fired shots through Hartley’s office window, and then shot his way inside the building. The shooter was found dead in the office from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the upper body. No one else was seriously injured, and the office appeared closed the following day.

June 1st Ashland, WVA Man Kills Ex-Wife then Self Outside of Beauty Salon

Donald Price,49, murdered his ex-wife, 40, at approximately 8:15 a.m. just outside of her workplace at the Studio 21 Salon. He used a .45 caliber pistol and then turned the gun on himself. While they were an estranged couple, he used to work at the same salon in the past. Donald Price had rented a car and waited in the parking lot till she arrived. Witnesses state that they saw the couple fighting before the assault took place. Kimberly Price had filed for divorce in December 2004. A final hearing in the matter was scheduled for next month.

July 6th Mableton, GE Man Kills Ex-Girlfriend, Caught Following Day

Xavier Keith Snelson, 25, was arrested for the murder of Natilya Smith, 25 at her workplace, a Cobb County MSC Industrial Supply firm. The assault occurred after 10 p.m. after which he fled in a gold Chevrolet pickup truck. He was caught the following day while driving a truck south on Interstate 85 in LaGrange. The couple, separated last October, had three children together.

UK Survey Indicates Rapid Rise in Assaults on Government Workers

A City & Guilds survey of 2,058 workers indicates a rise in violence against public sector employees. 37% have been verbally abused while at work; 16% have been threatened and 7% have been physically abused by a member of the public. 64% of those questioned believing that incidents of abuse have escalated over the last two years.
The professions were these incidents occur are ranked: passenger transport (27%) hospitality or leisure (25%), security and policing (21%), healthcare/pharmacy (18%), civil service (14%), law (14%), care, health and community (12%), local government (11%) and local authority (11%).
What is unique about the survey is that they also queried the perpetrators of the harassment. The most common age group was the 25-34 year olds and 33% of them have admitted losing their temper with a call centre worker, a shop worker or a bus driver. Of all of those that admitted committing such acts, 14% don't regret their behavior.

Legislation in Maine Looks to Address Violence Against Nurses

The state of Maine is taking health care worker’s safety seriously in a newly proposed bill. State Sen. Jarrett Barrios, a Cambridge Democrat, is introducing a bill that will require a range of safety measures. Namely, health-care providers of five or more employees create employee training programs and a system for reporting and monitoring incidents of violence. Providers would also have to create a written violence-prevention plan that describes factors that would put employees at risk of violence and what methods the facility would take to prevent the violence, such as use of security, equipment, staffing and employee training.

The Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), a primary motivator of the legislation, cited figures from the state Bureau of Labor Statistics in which more than 4,000 hospital employees were assaulted last year while working in emergency setting across the state. Additional studies from hen researchers from the MNA and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst polled 172 nurses at three hospitals this year, more than 30 percent said they were physically threatened over the last two years and 25 percent said they'd been pinched, scratched, spit on or their hands or wrists were twisted on the job. Fifty percent reported being punched at least once; seven said people have tried to strangle them in the past two years; eight said they were sexually assaulted, and two were intentionally stuck with contaminated needles.

Conviction for DV Assault at Maine Camp in July 2004

Willie Alston, 34 was sentenced up to 12 years in state prison on convictions for burglary in the first and second degrees, aggravated criminal contempt, and criminal contempt in the first degree. On July 3, 2004, Alston assaulted his estranged wife at her place of employment, Camp Venture. He broke into a residence and assaulted the woman, pushing her down a flight of stairs. She fled to another residence for her safety, but Alston broke into that place through the window and there he continued to assault her.

Virginia Tech Weighs Weapons Policy on Campus

Alexandria, Virginia Virginia Tech officials have asked the university's governing board to endorse a policy that threatens to arrest anyone who refuses to disarm or leave campus. However, visitors with concealed weapons permits could still bring guns onto campus, but not into the facilities. Earlier this spring, Tech came under heavy criticism from gun owners' rights groups for disciplining a student who carried a concealed handgun to class. The proposed policy included language prohibiting everyone except law enforcement from "carrying, maintaining or storing a firearm or weapon on any university facility, even if the owner has a valid permit."

June 14 Shreveport, LA Robber Beaten by Beauty School Students

Jared Gipson, 24, entered the Blalock’s Beauty College and told the women there to lie down on the floor. After collecting their money, Gipson ran toward the front door when manager Dianne Mitchell tripped him. The robber dropped his gun and Abram Bishop, a male employee at the college, jumped on his back, pinning him down. The students, arming themselves with curling irons, chairs and a wooden table leg, assaulted Gipson to point where he needed medical attention. The gun, police learned later, was not loaded.
NOTE: While this case has a positive outcome, it is dangerous to resist a robbery or to prevent a robber from leaving, especially if they have a firearm. Just let them take the money and leave. It is simply just not worth your life.

June 16 Savoy TX Man Kills Ex-wife and her Co-Worker and Self

David Wilhelm entered EPAC, a plastics plant, and shot his estranged wife and a male co-worker to death before shooting himself with a 9 mm handgun. The victims were in the break room of small company when he found Andrea Wilhelm, 40, of Bonham, and co-worker Felipe de Leon, 37, and murdered them early in the morning. Mrs. Wilhelm received three shots, one to her head, one to her chest, and the third to an arm. Mr. DeLeon-Muniz died from one gunshot wound. The Wilhelm’s were divorcing and Mrs. Wilhelm had filed a protection order against her estranged husband several weeks ago, alleging that he was stalking her.

June 17 Towson, MD Woman Saved by By-Standers from Ex-boyfriend

Jeffrey Ricardo Jones Jr., 25, attempted to murder his estranged girlfriend, Lesley G. Dunlap, 24 but was rescued by a 62-year-old lawyer who played football for the University of Maryland. Jones, who had been convicted in a 2002 assault on Dunlap, had protective order against him last month after alleging that he threatened her with a knife at her office at the law firm Venable LLP. On this last occasion, Dunlap had pulled into the parking lot at the where she works as a receptionist and assistant librarian when Jones pulled in behind her and blocked her car with his Chevrolet Tahoe sport utility vehicle. He then smashed her window with a hammer, pulled her out of her car and forced her into his SUV. When they were stopped due to traffic, she jumped out. Jones chased her down and began stabbing her with a knife. That is when John J. Kenny intervened and called to another by-stander to help. Jones escaped but was later apprehended by police.

March 28th Nottingham, UK Healthcare Worker Kills Himself Over Despair from Work

Ken Wilson worked as an operating theatre practitioner at Queen’s Medical Centre where he encountered the frequent tragedy of young people dying from violence. His wife believes that he killed himself due to the despair at the loss of young people from violent crime, car crashes and illness. The father of two teenagers was found dead in a staff living quarters. On a notepad found in his bag he had written: “I’m not mad, just very tired and depressed.” He took his own life by taking an overdose of anesthetics and muscle relaxant drugs used in the operating room.

May 31 Henderson, TX Two Men Kill Co-Worker

Delfino Martinez, 35 and Noel Guevera Martinez, 30, are both suspects in the murder of Juan Carlos Garza, 20, during a dinner break at Townley Lumber Co. The incident occurred shortly after 9 p.m. when the two suspects reportedly returned from a parking lot and fired at co-worker Garza with a 9-millimeter handgun. Garza was shot twice in the head. Brown said both suspects are believed to have participated in the shooting, which occurred All three were working the night shift at the mill and the shooting was allegedly the result of an argument that began over the weekend.

June 9th Trenton, OH Former Employee Rams Supervisor's Car at Train Crossing

Workplace violence does not always happen at work. James Martin was charged with felonious asault and vandalism when he rammed his former supervisor, Harold Smith and then threatened him with a bat. Martin used to work at the Blankenship Masonry when he quit a few weeks ago. Recently, he contacted Smith to be re-hired but was denied. It was several days later when Smith was waiting in his car while a train was crossing when Martin made his assault. Several witnesses also waiting in the car came to assist as Martin held Smith by the throat and threatened to kill him. Arriving officers later found Martin at a near by gas station, talking on a payphone. He then turned himself in.

June 4th Wiggins, MS Nurse Shot by Husband at Community Home

Sandra Whigham, a nurse at the Wiggins Community Home, was shot by her husband just an hour after she had sought protection from local law enforcement. Arthur E. Whigham, 50, had rushed into the assisted living facility for adults and shot his wife with a .22 firearm before fleeing. He was confronted by responding officers and fled, throwing his weapon away which was later recovered.
The day before, they had an altercation which led Sandra to go to the sheriff's office to file a complaint on the day of the shooting. However, her husband met her there at the department and the officers convinced them to have a "cooling off" period. She went on to work while he was suppose to go home to pack a bag. It was an hour later that he showed up at her work and shot her in front of numerous co-workers. She was treated for her injuries and released the next day.

June 7th South Africa Real Estate Agent Killed by Co-Worker Ex-Boyfriend

Verdie Pearson, the sister of the founding owners of the RE/MAX Address Estate Agency in Kloof was killed by her estranged boyfriend. Farf Grubb. It was around 11 a.m. when he came into her office. According to witnesses, they talked for awhile till they heard gunshots. Grubb, 63, had shot Pearson twice in the chest and then killed himself with what is thought to be a .357 magnum handgun. They had a relationship for about 10 years but Pearson had reportedly just broken up with him.

Time for Anger Management

According to specialist Linda Wasmer Andrews, anger management options are gaining steam in he workplace. After popculture latched on to the idea in movies like "Anger Management," employers and employees a like are beginning to understand and appreciate the value of keeping a lid on hostility at work. "Anger is undoubtedly a factor in some of the 1.7 million violent victimizations (mostly assaults) that Americans experience while working each year. (This includes incidents involving customers, clients, students and other nonemployees.) Employers that don't address potential problems could pay a heavy price." Making the situation even more pertinent to the ever cost conscious employer is the bill associated with violent disruptions in the workplace. "If an employer ignores warning signs leading up to a violent incident, it could be held legally liable. But even if the company has done things right, the cost of defending itself averages $700,000," Anderson says. Clearly, it's in a company's best interest to deal with hostile employees before they become violent perpetrators."

When It’s Time For Anger Management:
Training can help all employees—not just
the worksite hothead—deal
productively with emotions.

By Linda Wasmer Andrews

Oregon Passes Bill to Allow DV Victims to Obtain Unemployment Insurance

Oregon Legislature passed a bill allowing domestic violence victims to obtain unemployment benefits more easily. House Bill 2662, sponsored by Rep. Paul Holvey, D-Eugene won unanimous approval by the Senate, following House approval last month. The bill would ensure that abuse victims could obtain unemployment insurance if they must leave work in order to protect their health, safety or welfare or that of their children. They would have to make their case to the Employment Department, the Employment Appeals Board or administrative law judges. The bill has the backing of the Oregon Alliance to End Violence Against Women and an advisory council to the state Employment Department, made up of representatives from workers and employers. Gov. Ted Kulongoski is expected to sign the bill into law.

Ex-Employee Pleads Guilty to Attempted Murder Charge Australia

Joan Mary Walsh plead guilty to attempted murder charges when she stabbed security guard Karen Emmerzael at the Commonwealth Bank processing center, in West Melbourne, on December 27, 2004. The 46-year-old mother of three, had previously worked at the center in a data entry position but left some time in 2000 after suffering depression after the death of her eldest son in a car accident. The day of the assault, Walsh told the security guard her car had broken down, asked to use a phone and went to the toilet. She then returned with a long kitchen knife and started stabbing the 28-year-old security guard before she was able to escape. According to the prosecution, there was no obvious motive and very little explanation for the "vicious" and "unprovoked" attack. Walsh had reportedly wrote a letter of apology to the security guard, stating that "anger and hatred had built up inside me" and that she was lonely and missing her son.

Illinios Nurses Provided with a Safe Workplace

Over the past few months there have several attacks on health care workers by patients. Subsequently, bill HB 339 has been passed in both houses in Illinios. The Illinois Nurses Association proactively campaigned and lobbied on behalf of the nurses' rights to a reasonably safe and secure work place. "This bill is the first step in providing the necessary training and safeguards for assuring the safety of patients, visitors and health care employees within healthcare settings," says Debbi Reed, RN, INA's Assistant Program Director.

HB 399 calls for the Illinois Department of Health Services and Illinois Department of Public Health to implement the Healthcare Setting Violence Prevention Act initially as a two- year pilot project in which five facilities will participate.
The bill requires violence prevention training, more extensive record keeping, and a task force led by the Governor.

May 9 San Fransico, CA Ex-Social Worker Returns to Kill Former Colleague

Gregory Gray, 54, fatally shot Bruce Franks, a 49, at the Conard Community Service Center. He is also accused of assaulting senior case manager Kalifa Coulibaly, who police said tried to wrestle the weapon out of Gray's hands. Gray was fired from his job at the center back in September. On a Monday morning, we walked in just before 9 a.m. carrying a handgun, a shotgun and a hatchet and shot Franks in the chest and back. Homicide inspectors and Conard employees reportedly state that Franks, who did not supervise Gray, was not the intended target.
As Gray was wrestled to the ground by workers, a homeless man and client of the agency, picked up the dropped shotgun and ran away with it. Responding officers had to apprehend the thief while workers restrained Gray.

The Extent and Cost of Bullying in the Workplace

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health released a study last year that showed 24.5 percent of the 516 companies surveyed reported that bullying behavior had occurred there during the preceding year. And who was the aggressor? Of these incidents, 39.2 percent identified an employee, 24.5 percent a customer and 14.7 percent a supervisor. While the cost to morale and turn-over may be difficult to gauge, the civil liability may be more easy to identify. In March, an Indiana surgeon was ordered to pay a former hospital employee $325,000 in lost wages after a 2001 incident in which the doctor screamed and lunged at the worker.

NY County Considers Anti-Discrimination Bill for Abuse Victims

In Westchester County, the Board of Legislators is considering a bill that would add victims of abuse to the list of those already protected by the county's human rights law. It would effectively add the status of victims of abuse to the protected classes of race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation and marital status and would ban discrimination in housing and employment.
Cited in the argument is a statistic from the Society for Human Resource Management showing that nearly four in 10 assaults on the job in the United States are committed by a spouse or partner. Another study shows the impact of abuse on the bottom line.

Ireland Takes Violence Against HealthCare Staff Seriously

National Hospitals Office of the Health Service Executive of Ireland has ordered hospitals to take immediate action to deal with violence and aggression against staff. Director Pat Mc Loughlin has issued guidelines on this issue to be implemented immediately. Recent investigations have discovered violence and aggression to be one of the main risks in emergency departments. The main hazards surround patients dealing with substance abuse issues. Among the measures suggested are security guards in the units at weekends, a new criminal offence where people engage in abusive or threatening behavior and a doubling of the visiting charge people attending who are simply drunk and not genuinely ill.

May 5 Houston, TX Attorney Kills Another in Office

Jackie Lee Duke, 52, was a contract attorney working for Cooper Cameron. At about 8:40 a.m., Duke was meeting with Michael Paul Hartmann, 54, the in-house attorney and Duke’s alleged supervisor. Both of them worked on patent related legal issues for the oil services company for the past several years. It was reported that Duke was being let go but it must not have been a surprise to him. He had left a suicide note at home and brought with him that morning two weapons, a .357-caliber revolver and a semiautomatic handgun. In a soft-sided briefcase, the gunman had also brought more ammunition. Duke shot and killed Hartmann and then committed suicide. Both shots were to the head.

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.