{"id":2344,"date":"2021-09-10T14:35:40","date_gmt":"2021-09-10T14:35:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/?p=2344"},"modified":"2026-02-20T17:36:50","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T17:36:50","slug":"4-shocking-cases-of-violence-in-the-workplace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/4-shocking-cases-of-violence-in-the-workplace\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Shocking Cases of Violence in the Workplace"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2344\" class=\"elementor elementor-2344\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0f5b7e e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e0f5b7e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c02313 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"3c02313\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<section style=\"\r\nfont-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\r\nbackground:#FFD729;\r\npadding:30px 20px;\r\ncolor:#ffffff;\r\n\">\r\n\r\n<div style=\"max-width:1100px;margin:0 auto;\">\r\n\r\n<style>\r\n@keyframes fadeUp {\r\n0% {opacity:0; transform:translateY(60px);}\r\n100% {opacity:1; transform:translateY(0);}\r\n}\r\n\r\n@keyframes neonGlow {\r\n0% {box-shadow:0 0 10px #00eaff, 0 0 20px #00eaff;}\r\n50% {box-shadow:0 0 25px #00eaff, 0 0 50px #00eaff;}\r\n100% {box-shadow:0 0 10px #00eaff, 0 0 20px #00eaff;}\r\n}\r\n\r\n.neon-card {\r\nbackground:#00A4FF;\r\nborder-radius:20px;\r\npadding:50px;\r\nborder:2px solid #00eaff;\r\nanimation:neonGlow 3s infinite alternate;\r\ntransition:all 0.6s ease;\r\nmargin-bottom:70px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.neon-card:hover {\r\ntransform:translateY(-15px) scale(1.02);\r\nbox-shadow:0 0 40px #00eaff, 0 0 80px #283745;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.neon-card img {\r\nwidth:100%;\r\nborder-radius:15px;\r\nmargin-bottom:25px;\r\ntransition:transform 0.6s ease;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.neon-card:hover img {\r\ntransform:scale(1.05);\r\n}\r\n\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<!-- Intro Card -->\r\n<div class=\"neon-card\" style=\"animation:fadeUp 1s ease forwards;opacity:0;\">\r\n<h2 style=\"font-size:36px;margin-bottom:25px;border-bottom:3px solid #00eaff; display:inline-block; padding-bottom:8px;color: #283745;\">Workplace Violence in US History<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.9;\">\r\nViolence in the workplace is any type of violent act, usually in the form of physical abuse or threat, that puts an employee's or several employees' health and safety at risk. To stop such acts, businesses often provide <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/workplace-violence-prevention-awareness\">workplace violence prevention<\/a> education.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.9;\">\r\nNIOSH has defined four classifications of workplace violence. These are worker-on-the-worker, personal relationship, customer\/client, and criminal intent. NIOSH has further divided these four classifications of workplace violence into three levels. Level one shows hints of impending aggression, level two is slightly more aggressive, and level three is exceptionally violent.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.9;\">\r\nIn this article, we will be looking at four of the most shocking examples of workplace violence in US history.\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center; width: 100%;  display: flex; justify-content: center;\">\r\n          <img decoding=\"async\" \r\n            src=\"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/iStock-665341016.webp\"\r\n            alt=\"\"\r\n            style=\"border-radius: 20px; margin-bottom: 60px;\"\r\n            width=\"1000\"\r\n          >\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"neon-card\" style=\"animation:fadeUp 1s ease forwards;opacity:0;\">\r\n<h2 style=\"font-size:36px;margin-bottom:25px;border-bottom:3px solid #00eaff; display:inline-block; padding-bottom:8px;color: #283745;\">Four Significant Workplace Violence<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.9;\">\r\nThese are the four most significant examples of violence in the workplace in recent history. <\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align:center; max-width:800px; margin:auto;\">\r\n  <iframe \r\n    width=\"100%\" \r\n    height=\"400\" \r\n    src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OgXg9eqgyHs\"\r\n    title=\"OSHA Outreach Courses Training Video\"\r\n    frameborder=\"0\"\r\n    allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\"\r\n    allowfullscreen\r\n    style=\"border-radius:20px;margin-bottom: 60px\">\r\n  <\/iframe>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<!-- Case 1 -->\r\n<div class=\"neon-card\" style=\"animation:fadeUp 1.2s ease forwards;opacity:0;\">\r\n<h2 style=\"font-size:36px;margin-bottom:25px;border-bottom:3px solid #00eaff; display:inline-block; padding-bottom:8px;color: #283745;\">1. Edmond Post Office Shooting<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"font-size:17px;line-height:1.9;\">\r\nThe Edmond Post Office shooting was a case of workplace violence that occurred on August 20, 1986, in Edmond, Oklahoma. Patrick Sherrill, a postal worker, pursued and shot many of his coworkers. In less than fifteen minutes, he killed 14 and wounded another six before committing suicide. This attack was the deadliest case of workplace violence in US history.\r\n<\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/The-Edmond-Post-Office-shooting.webp\">\r\n<p style=\"font-size:17px;line-height:1.9;\">\r\nPatrick Sherrill was an employee of the United States Postal Service (USPS). This incident of workplace violence started at around 7 am. Two of his supervisors had disciplined him the previous day. So, his coworkers and investigators believe this to be the reason behind his rampage. He killed one of his supervisors. While the other one escaped possible death, he turned in late for work that day. Patrick Sherrill had served in the US Marine Corps, so he was adept at handling firearms. He turned his gun on himself when police arrived at the scene of violence.\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<!-- Case 2 -->\r\n<div class=\"neon-card\" style=\"animation:fadeUp 1.4s ease forwards;opacity:0;\">\r\n<h2 style=\"font-size:36px;margin-bottom:25px;border-bottom:3px solid #00eaff; display:inline-block; padding-bottom:8px;color: #283745;\">2. 2009 Fort Hood Shooting<\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"font-size:17px;line-height:1.9;\">\r\nThe Fort Hood shooting incident occurred on November 5, 2009. This was the worst incident of workplace violence on any US military base. Major Nidal Malik Hasan perpetrated the shooting. who killed 14 and injured over 30 others. He was arrested after the shooting. The shooter was said to be socially isolated. Major Nidal served as a psychiatrist in the US Army. <\/p>\r\n\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2009-Fort-Hood-Shooting.webp\">\r\n\r\n\r\n<p style=\"font-size:17px;line-height:1.9;\">So it was unusual for someone like him to carry out this kind of attack. He attacked at about 1:30 pm. He purchased his pistol, which he used in the shooting, two months prior. Major Nidal was said to be inspired by militant Muslim organizations, although he had not been charged under any anti-terrorism laws. He is currently in prison and is on trial. This is one of the recent workplace violence incidents that is extremely shocking to this day.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<!-- Case 3 -->\r\n<div class=\"neon-card\" style=\"animation:fadeUp 1.6s ease forwards;opacity:0;\">\r\n<h2 style=\"font-size:36px;margin-bottom:25px;border-bottom:3px solid #00eaff; display:inline-block; padding-bottom:8px;color: #283745;\">3. Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771 Shooting<\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"font-size:17px;line-height:1.9;\">\r\nThis incident of workplace violence happened on December 7, 1987. David Burke carried out this attack. He was a disgruntled former employee of USAir, the owner of Pacific Southwest. David Burke's manager fired him as a ticketing agent for theft and narcotics allegations. On December 7, 1987, he talked to his manager in an attempt to reinstate his job. His manager refused, so he went on to purchase a ticket for Pacific Southwest flight 1771 from Los Angeles to San Francisco. He managed to smuggle a pistol into his hand luggage.\r\n<\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Pacific-Southwest-Airlines-Flight-1771-Shooting.webp\">\r\n\r\n<p style=\"font-size:17px;line-height:1.9;\">\r\nHe started his shooting spree as the aircraft began cruising. His manager was also on the flight. He presumably shot dead both pilots, his manager, and two other people. Because both pilots had been shot dead, there was no one to fly the aircraft. The plane eventually crashed, killing all 43 passengers and crew on board.\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<!-- Case 4 -->\r\n<div class=\"neon-card\" style=\"animation:fadeUp 1.8s ease forwards;opacity:0;\">\r\n<h2 style=\"font-size:36px;margin-bottom:25px;border-bottom:3px solid #00eaff; display:inline-block; padding-bottom:8px;color: #283745;\">4. Murders of Allison Parker and Adam Ward<\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"font-size:17px;line-height:1.9;\">\r\nThis was another incident of workplace violence carried out by a disgruntled employee. The shooting occurred on August 26, 2015, in Moneta, Virginia. The shooter, Bryce Williams, was a former employee of WDBJ, an affiliate of the CBS TV channel. WDBJ fired him for disruptive behaviour in 2013. The shooting occurred when Alison Parker and Adam Ward were conducting a live TV interview of a local chamber of commerce representative, Vicki Gardener.\r\n<\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Murders-of-Allison-Parker-and-Adam-Ward.webp\">\r\n\r\n<p style=\"font-size:17px;line-height:1.9;\">\r\nBryce Williams barged into the scene of the interview. After shooting both the interviewers and the interviewee, he fled the scene in his car. Parker and Ward both died on the spot, while Gardner survived after getting hospitalized. After a police chase, the shooter shot himself as well. He later died in the hospital.\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<!-- Conclusion -->\r\n<div class=\"neon-card\" style=\"animation:fadeUp 2s ease forwards;opacity:0;\">\r\n<h2 style=\"font-size:36px;margin-bottom:25px;border-bottom:3px solid #00eaff; display:inline-block; padding-bottom:8px;color: #283745;\">Conclusion<\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.9;\">\r\nThese workplace violence scenarios highlight the devastating impact such incidents can have on employees and organizations. From postal facilities to military bases and even live television broadcasts, workplace violence can occur in any setting, often with tragic consequences.\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Workplace Violence in US History Violence in the workplace is any type of violent act,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25392,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[366,140,359,363,214,590,591,557,133,592,561,555],"class_list":["post-2344","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-employee-safety","tag-health-safety","tag-occupational-safety","tag-safety-measures","tag-safety-protocols","tag-shocking-incidents","tag-violence-awareness","tag-violence-prevention","tag-workplace","tag-workplace-incidents","tag-workplace-security","tag-workplace-violence"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2344","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2344"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2344\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25499,"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2344\/revisions\/25499"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25392"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2344"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2344"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2344"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}