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" Fired Security Guard Kills 5 and Self "  Sept 10, 2001


Sacramento, California  Joseph Ferguson, age 20, vandalized the car of his x-girlfriend and was suspended from Burns Security. The disgruntled Ferguson then made threatening phone calls to former co-workers that began a 24 hour trail of terror. He shot 3 Burns guards at their work stations including his x-girlfriend and followed by killing a city employee and a Burns Supervisor he abducted, whose wife he forced to video his attack plans. He stole a Burns patrol vehicle and a citizen and a police officer were wounded in an ensuing police chase and wild shoot-out. When cornered he shot himself to death. Investigation reveals a disgruntled and mentally disturbed person with possible white supremacist links and in possession of a number of exotic firearms.

 

 

 

 

ANALYSIS

Most violent workplace incidents begin with the perpetrator’s threatening behavior. An obsession with firearms, soldier of fortune or white supremacist type literature or the violent acts of others should be a huge warning indicator. A violence prevention policy and pre-determined plan of action should be in place within every company – followed by training so every person in the organization is aware of steps to be taken in such cases. Threats must be taken seriously as they are generally an escalation of other aggressive or unstable behavior. Action to avoid tragedies can then be implemented before the behavior escalates to tragedy. Be prepared.