A co-worker has just threatened to come in shooting...

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urban assault

New member
Well, I should say "ex co-worker". He was fired today for low productivty and attitude problems. We are at the slowest time of the year for our business anyway, and the new owner decided to cut away some dead wood. When this guy found out, he just smiled a lot. Later in the day he approached another worker and told him to stay home on thursday because he was going to shoot everyone and he liked this particular person. The guy he told this too immediately informed our supervisor. The boss and the supervisor called the nutball into the office and asked him if he had said those things. He very calmly admitted to it. They paid him what was owed and asked him to leave. This guy has no family, no pets, no wife or kids and rents a room nearby. He doesnt seem to have any friends and is considered a loner. He fits the so-called pattern of threat that accompanies these work-related shooters. The word spread very quickly and us workers got together and tried to figure out a good response to the threat. Quickly it was agreed that everyone who has a firearm will start bringing them in and keeping them within reach. The new boss heard of this and said that he couldnt legally give his permission to do these things but that what he didnt see couldnt be used against us. This was accompanied by a big wink. The police were called and the information was relayed about the nutball. That was a joke. They said that if we saw him on the premises again we should call them. Oh yah, that will be very helpful. I am sure that when I call 911 during the shooting, the phone will emit a protective shield to block incoming bullets. I will be bringing my Remington 870 Police shotgun and my ParaOrd P14 tommorrow and for a period of time after as well. Needless to say, we are all in a heightened state of awareness. I guess that I better practice "duck and cover" techniques ;)

michael
 
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jadams951

New member
Yikes, that is all we need is another psycho going crazy giving firearms a bad name. Chances are that if he said he is going to do it he probably won't. But I am with you...I am not going to take the chance and see if I am wrong or not. Be prepared...in Texas a business is considered private property and people on those premises can legally carry a firearm. It's just the travel to work that might get you in trouble. Although, being an LEO, I usually don't bother with people who have a firearm in their vehicle unless they have got a record or are a ****.
 
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Cheapo

New member
Puh-Leeze!!!!

Please tell your co-workers TODAY that they had better be most on guard Wednesday and Friday--the days before and after the threat.

My college buddy died, in part, because the employer did not believe a credible and day-specific threat from a known goof who had previously been under a shrink's care.

If there is any way to monitor the situation from a parking lot vantage point, please do that as well.

I would be on guard for a full month.

Find a way to put Lithium in the guy's water, help him find a new job, and keep the Prozac away from him! Prozac works great, but all H-E double-toothpicks breaks out when the nut STOPS taking it!
 
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Betty

New member
Creepy! I hope he doesn't go off the deep end and actually put his words into action. My employer installed a keypad entry at our workplace after my ex-boyfriend threatened all of us. It was nice, but not too great as the front of the offices are all full-size glass panes.
 
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urban assault

New member
What complicates the issue, is that my home is RIGHT NEXT DOOR! literally. I can walk to work in about a minute and a half. While I have not had problems with the nutball, I worry about him coming to my house first. I get to tell my wife about all of this when she gets home tonight. I think that she needs to know just in case he shows up on the front porch. Tommorrow I am going to recommend that all outside doors stay locked so that only current employees have access to our two buildings. The buildings are connected by a trussed and roofed open space so security is problematic at best. We are relatively off the beaten path and set way back from the road. Something like this really makes you aware of how vulnerable we all are. I found myself looking at my home and work buildings with a critcal eye and saw too many weak spots. If this idiot
is seen on the premises there will be a warning on the paging system thruout the business. Damm, I must admit to being very worried. Hope my wife stays calm. See ya later with an update if something happens.

michael
 
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DerGlockenpooper

New member
NOT that you would WANT to shoot someone, but you can actually be glad that he gave warning because if you do have to shoot him, it should be a pretty easy ride, legally speaking. The legal edge is heavily in your favor to defend yourself aggressively (not that I am a lawyer etc).

I am actually surprised that there is no law to enforce for these theats. People can just make these threats with no ramifications?




Imagine in a month or two when his bills back up and things get really tight. He could go off then, rather then now. I would be on guard for a VERY LONG time.




The thing about experiences like this, is that they get you to really rethink your routines and prioroties. (eg: your carry guns and defense).

For example, suddenly that mousegun does not seem so comforting does it? You head straight for the hi-capacity .45 and the 12 guage. Nothing like a threat like this to get you to rethink some things. I know it did for me.
 
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AKsrule

Moderator
re threat

:(

GEEEEEZ ! Does your company have Zilch for Security??

At the moment that management became aware of a threat-

the local P.D. or Sheriff should have been called VIA 911
and the Perp should have been detained - arrested - and
escorted off the premises!!

How many people could die before he got to you - or
another armed individual ? ( I assume everyone wasn't
Armed and Ready )

Call the Cops NOW --- Tell them everything you Know
about this Guy!

If he did/said these things off premises He can still be
arrested for harassment - terroristic threats - or whatever
your state / locality Laws are on the books!

DO IT NOW 7:37 PM EST :(
 
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paratrooper

New member
Der Glockenpooper is richtig! This guy could last a while on unemployment and not be a problem for a few months . When he starts to think about who DIDN'T lose their jobs he will start to get bitter if he thinks someone else should have gone instead or also . Be afraid , be VERY afraid !With this nut around I would carry in the shower .Buy him a bus ticket somewhere far away .
 
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Bud Helms

Senior Member
Originally posted by gebooth:
Encourage your boss to go hire an off duty officer (or six) to watch the office for a few days.

Or, close the office down for a while. (bold mine)
Click to expand...
Excuse me? I don't think so. That's pretty funny ...:)

Here in Georgia, that critter made a "terroristic threat and could get up to $1000.00 or one to five years in the state pokey.

**************
16-11-37 G
*** CODE SECTION *** 09/12/00

16-11-37.

(a) A person commits the offense of a terroristic threat when he threatens to commit any crime of violence or to burn or damage property with the purpose of terrorizing another or of causing the evacuation of a building, place of assembly, or facility of public transportation or otherwise causing serious public inconvenience, or in reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror or inconvenience. No person shall be convicted under this subsection on the uncorroborated testimony of the party to whom the threat is communicated.

... (more)
*********************
 
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Longshot

New member
AKsrule has a point. I don't think your boss should have invited this guy in for a meeting because he might have ALREADY been armed. I'd have called the police El Pronto because of his statement of intent.
 
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logansdad

New member
Imagine in a month or two...

This is the reason that I carried my gun to work with me EVERY day. My employer had a policy of "NO FIREARMS", but I never let anyone know I carried and I was willing to suffer the consequences, i.e. unemployment and possibly prosecution, if I was discovered. There are some people out there who do not have the mental stability to cope with such minor things - yes, MINOR THINGS - as loosing a job. I hope to be prepared for them if and when they "snap".
 
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Bam Bam

New member
Well, it seems to me that at the minimum you have a moral obligation to tell your fellow workers about the threats. They are the potential targets. If they take it seriously, and probably will given the recent publicity, can they arrange for a rotating 'cigarette break' out front? Better to know he's coming than have a nasty surprise burst in the door. Best of luck and divine protection be with you.

Your post also indicates another source of anxiety. What if the person making the threats decides that giving you warning was a bad idea and he goes berserk at the mall instead? Is there a way adjust the attitude of the police?

If there is good news amongst the bad it is that 'forewarned is fore-armed.
 
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DialONE911

New member
Make sure the police are involved and aware of the threats.

I was involved in a situation a few years ago when an employee of the non-profit I was working for became increasingly unstable and violent. Luckily, she damaged some office equipment on the way out and stole some confidential documents.

In our case, the police were very active, going to her home to retrieve the documents and question her about the vandalism. When they saw the bag of coke on her coffee table, we didn't have to worry about her returning any time soon.

These days, the police should be willing to actively pursue any serious threat of workplace violence.
 
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OF

New member
I second the kevlar suggestion. Take a look at a nice 'second chance' vest. They're soft and can be worn under your everyday clothes. There are people on this forum (civilians) that wear them every day.

Pack the P14 and at least one extra mag 24/7. Pack the SP101 on yourself as a backup 24/7 with a speedloader or bianchi strip. Even at home. If you are seriously worried about the possibility that he might engage at your residence, and your wife is going to be there when you're not, leave the shotgun for her w/ 00 buck in the house. It's easiest for her to use and by far the most intimidating weapon you listed [this assumes you're the more competent partner w/ the handguns...a blatently sexist and prejudiced assumption, so sue me :) I wouldn't leave the SG in the workplace overnight.

Just some thoughts. Stay alert but calm and don't freak out. For your own safety, you have to take the guy at his word. Call the police again and voice your concern, get the whole office to do it. Repeat as necessary.

Front sight, press. Repeat as necessary.


- gabe
 
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deanf

New member
Restraining Order

The boss needs to file for a restraining or no contact order at the local courthouse. No, it does not offer any real protection, but it gives the cops one more option in the event he comes around.

Without the order, he could loiter on some public property near the business and be within his rights. With the order, the cops have the option of arrest if he's withing a certain distance, whether it's public property or not.

An order will, in general, give the cops a little more power to deal with him in a more stringent fashion.

(disclaimer: this is not legal advice, it's just common sense.)
 
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