6 dead as argument with boss ends in rampage

[Snake Doctor]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25361852/

HENDERSON, Ky. - An employee shot five people dead at a plastics plant before killing himself early Wednesday, police said.

The rampage occurred after a worker at Atlantis Plastics argued with a supervisor, Henderson police Lt. David Piller said.

The employee had returned home to retrieve a handgun during a break, police said.

NBC affiliate WFIE reported that witnesses initially heard a shot come from outside the plant. The gunman then came inside the building and began shooting at random.

'Total shock'
Atlantis Plastics CEO Bud Philbrook described the killings as a "total shock."

Philbrook said the employee had argued with a supervisor around midnight, then shot the supervisor before opening fire in a break room. Police said the shooter ended the rampage by killing himself.

Victims were found scattered around the plant, Piller said "It appears the shooting was random at this time," he added.

More coverage from NBC affiliate WFIE
External link: Watch video from the scene

There were 34 employees in the building at the time of the shooting, WFIE reported.

The plant employs about 150 people and makes parts for refrigerators and plastic siding for homes.

In a news release on the company's Web site, Atlantis Plastics says it is a leading U.S. manufacturer of three kinds of products: polyethylene stretch films for wrapping pallets of materials, custom films for industrial and packaging uses, and molded plastic pieces used in products such as appliances and recreational vehicles.

[bdickens]

Maybe they should have instituted a "no guns" policy. That would have stopped him.

[DoubleJ]

Anyone notice that he didn't go out to his CAR and get a gun? Thank gawd he didn't go out to his CAR....

[HerbM]

Anyone notice that he didn't go out to his CAR and get a gun? Thank gawd he didn't go out to his CAR....

It will be a couple of days, the press will never report it, but I'll bet that this company had a No Guns policy -- or that otherwise the dead employees weren't allowed to protect themself.

Gun free zones should be limited to places where security is SO ESSENTIAL that the following rules are established:

1) A lockup is provided with armed guard for securing anyone's legal weapon during the visit

2) Police not on duty AT THE SITE cannot carry either

3) Armed guards perform physical searches and/or use metal detectors

Examples might include: Prisons. ( I really cannot think of any other suitable candidates, but the above rules should apply if they exist.)

[longhorn_92]

Maybe they should have instituted a "no guns" policy. That would have stopped him.

That's exactly right! When he went home to go get his gun and then he came back - if there had been a sign there, that would have stopped him from any further action...

[The Annoyed Man]

We need to outlaw plastics...

[thejtrain]

The employee had returned home to retrieve a handgun during a break, police said.
...
[Police Lt.] Piller said "It appears the shooting was random at this time," he added.

Umm. What? Can you repeat that please?

[Police Lt.] Piller said "It appears the shooting was random at this time," he added.

Can anyone think of a situation that's LESS random than one in which an employee gets in a fight with his boss, goes all the way home to get his gun, comes all the way back, shoots the boss first, then decides, heck with it, I'm done, and shoots up the rest of the place?

We need to outlaw plastics...

Nah - it's like what I commented on the blog I first saw this on this morning - it's obvious that we need to outlaw BOSSES, since clearly he was the instigator of the incident.

[LedJedi]

Not to hijack this thread for the cause of open carry, but...

honestly, this exact scenario has crossed my mind many times when pondering the outcome of passing a blanket open carry policy in Texas. I'd be curious as to that man's mental history. Were there any signs that could have pointed to him snapping one day? We all have our moments but there are "moments" and then there are "MOMENTS".

The thought of a boss delivering hard news which causes someone to crack does cross the mind. Of course one can argue that if it's blanket OC then others would have been armed and able to stop said rampage in it's tracks.

[bdickens]

Police Lt. Piller, with all due respect extended but none intended, is a moron. One should read Gavin DeBecker's The Gift of Fear. Mr. DeBecker makes his living dealing with and preventing this sort of thing and has studied it quite extensively. He has found that violent attacks by stalkers, disgruntled employees, school shooters and the like are always preceded by certain indicators that are telegraphed well in advance and should be obvious to anyone trained to recognize them. His company website is found here: https://www.gavindebecker.com/index.cfm.

[BigDan]

All the more reason to be allowed to defend ourselves at work by having a handgun on us at all times. I used to lock mine up in the car. For the past several weeks now, I've come to the conclusion that it is better to lose my job than my life. If someone goes nuts at work, I want to be able to 1. protect myself if I he points a gun at me and 2. stop him if I am able, thus preventing others from harm (and not in any particular order, mind you).

[LedJedi]

All the more reason to be allowed to defend ourselves at work by having a handgun on us at all times. I used to lock mine up in the car. For the past several weeks now, I've come to the conclusion that it is better to lose my job than my life. If someone goes nuts at work, I want to be able to 1. protect myself if I he points a gun at me and 2. stop him if I am able, thus preventing others from harm (and not in any particular order, mind you).

+1
if it wasn't a felony to d that where I work i'd be doing the same

[HerbM]

All the more reason to be allowed to defend ourselves at work by having a handgun on us at all times. I used to lock mine up in the car. For the past several weeks now, I've come to the conclusion that it is better to lose my job than my life. If someone goes nuts at work, I want to be able to 1. protect myself if I he points a gun at me and 2. stop him if I am able, thus preventing others from harm (and not in any particular order, mind you).

+1

if it wasn't a felony to d that where I work i'd be doing the same

Yes, if you could lose the right permanently you have to estimate the likelihood of each even and the downsides involved.

I would still be looking for a new job though.

[Jason73]

Interesting - according to Fox News the gun WAS in his car.........

HENDERSON, Ky. — A man who killed five people and himself in a rampage at a western Kentucky plastics plant called his girlfriend two hours before the rampage to warn her that he was going to kill his boss, police said Wednesday.

Police said Wesley N. Higdon, 25, had an argument with his supervisor about wearing safety goggles and using his cell phone while was at his press machine Tuesday.

Later that night, as the supervisor escorted him from the building, Higdon shot him, apparently using a .45-caliber pistol he kept in his car. Then, he charged into a break room and the plant floor and kept shooting before turning the gun himself, police said.

Nevels said family members told detectives that Higdon kept a .45 caliber pistol in his car almost all the time, which is permissible in Kentucky.

I hope MSNBC is correct but I have a tendancy to distrust their reporting.....

Can't wait till the SCOTUS ruling on 2A tomorrow

Jason

[boomerang]

Interesting - according to Fox News the gun WAS in his car.........

HENDERSON, Ky. — A man who killed five people and himself in a rampage at a western Kentucky plastics plant called his girlfriend two hours before the rampage to warn her that he was going to kill his boss, police said Wednesday.

She immediately called the police and they prevented the rampage. Right?

Can't wait till the SCOTUS ruling on 2A tomorrow

Jason

Interesting timing. Ever notice how there often seem to be be high profile shootings shortly before congress votes to deny 2A rights to American citizens? Why should a landmark ruling be any different?

"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action, Mr Bond." - Goldfinger

[Stupid]

Gavin Debecker's "the gift of fear" is eye-opening. Nothing happens in random. Nobody goes nuts out of blue. There are always signs and hints leading to the dramatic event.