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Workplace Violence Prevention Institute - WVPI

a not-for-profit organization

Providing Workplace Violence Prevention Research, Education and Training

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American Terrorist to debut 4/20/21

American Terrorist to debut 4/20/21

School shooters and bombers have terrorized employees and students of American schools for decades. However, the 9/11 of such organized hits is the horrific attack that took place at Columbine High School in Colorado on April 20, 1999. "Columbine" has influenced many assaults on America's schools, colleges and other workplaces. The DIY film "American Terrorist" about school violence written and directed by Joseph D. Bonczyk will premier on April 20, 2021, Columbine's 22nd ann

Terminated worker caught with arsenal on Texas campus

Terminated worker caught with arsenal on Texas campus

"See something/Say something" helped avert a possible tragedy at Lamar University in Texas on Monday evening. Upon becoming alarmed that someone was stalking her on campus, a quick-thinking security guard called for backup. After help arrived, a recently terminated Lamar University employee Mark Edward Smith, 63, was arrested by campus police officers. Smith was found with two fully loaded AK-47s, five handguns, and a bagful of bullets in his vehicle. Artwork (c) Joseph D. Bo

OSHA'S Efforts Concerning Workplace Violence Prevention

OSHA'S Efforts Concerning Workplace Violence Prevention

Did you know that the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been monitoring workplace violence for the past several years? OSHA is the federal agency that was created in 1970 to enforce and administer the sweeping Occupational Safety and Health Act ("the OSH Act"). OSHA considers workplace violence as "a major concern for employers and employees nationwide." Workplace violence is defined by OSHA as follows: "Workplace violence is any act or threat o

Orlando Law Enforcement Officer Succumbs to Wounds Sustained in Domestic Violence Call.

Orlando Law Enforcement Officer Succumbs to Wounds Sustained in Domestic Violence Call.

Officer Kevin Valencia of the Orlando Police Department died on March 15, 2021 after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head while responding to a June 2018 domestic violence call. Officer Valencia leaves behind a wife and two young children. He was 29 years old when he died, and only 27 at the time of the shooting. Officer Kevin Valencia, photo courtesy of the Orlando Police Department. Officer Valencia had received medical treatment for almost three years following the June

Suit against seller of bullets to Santa Fe High School shooter survives Motion to Dismiss

Suit against seller of bullets to Santa Fe High School shooter survives Motion to Dismiss

A civil lawsuit brought by lead Plaintiff Rosie Yanas Stone, et al. and other parties whose loved ones were killed or wounded by bullets sold to the confessed Santa Fe High School shooter, has survived a Motion to Dismiss. Texas state court Judge Jack Ewing denied a defendant's, Luckygunner the on-line company that sold bullets to the confessed SFHS 17-year-old shooter but did not check his age and its owners, action to dismiss the lawsuit. Judge Ewing also awarded Plaintiffs

"Generation Columbine" and Workplace Violence Prevention

"Generation Columbine" and Workplace Violence Prevention

On March 22, 2021, an individual born three days before the notorious Columbine High School massacre which occurred in suburban Denver on April 20, 1999 left his suburban Denver home and made his way to a nearby Kings Soopers market. Shortly thereafter, ten innocent human beings were murdered in cold blood. Five were shot dead while they were working. Like his predecessors the two "Columbine Killers," the 21-year-old charged with 10 counts of murder at the Kings Soopers store

Massacre in Boulder: 3rd Workplace Violence Incident Involving Kroger Supermarkets

Massacre in Boulder: 3rd Workplace Violence Incident Involving Kroger Supermarkets

Yesterday's massacre at the Kroger-owned "King Soopers" market in Boulder where 10 people were shot dead is the third episode of deadly workplace violence involving that organization since 2016. The March 22, 2021 tragedy in Boulder is workplace violence as it occurred in a location where Americans were working: A large, popular supermarket. Half of the 10 innocents killed during the mass shooting died while engaged in the course and scope of their employment. Three were di

Six Reported Dead at Boulder Supermarket

Domestic Violence: One Thing Employers Should Never Ask Co-Workers To Do.

Domestic Violence: One Thing Employers Should Never Ask Co-Workers To Do.

There are fewer potentially toxic situations than when Domestic Violence meets Workplace Violence. Both crimes tend to be emotion-driven. Because of this, matters can deteriorate rapidly. When it becomes apparent that an employee is embroiled in a domestic situation, well-meaning employers might ask co-workers to do such things as walk that employee to her/her car or to a bus stop. If a disgruntled partner enters the workplace and begins an argument, co-workers may even step

School Shooters/Bombers are Domestic Terrorists, Here's Why

School Shooters/Bombers are Domestic Terrorists, Here's Why

Any mass shooting/bombing is devastating and cannot be tolerated. School shootings/bombings are in a different category than targeted events occurring in movie theaters, shopping malls, churches, restaurants, other workplaces and places where Americans gather Public schools like Florida's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland or Texas's Santa Fe High School, both which experienced catastrophic mass shootings in 2018, are run by the local or state government who emp