My co-worker was shot and killed in our parking lot yesterday.

[Touchdown]

She sat next to me. She was a nice woman who lived alone. She loved her Sci-Fi channel, her fantasy novels and the Reniassance Festival every summer, where she'd go at least 6 times a season. She had her cats and her family from Indiana & Florida. Even though she was a chatterbox, and got on my nerves from time to time, I liked her very much and will miss her dearly. She was never a gossip, which is rare for AT&T, and she never had a bad thing to say about anybody (Well, maybe the Verizon tech that wouldn't give her the info she needed). She did not deserve this. Since they released her name now I can say it. Rest well Barb. Your time with us was too short.

It's shocking. Although my building isn't in the best neighborhood, and there have been some gang related shootings in the past, they usually left the AT&T building and us alone. I guess to the gang bangers, we were just civilians. There has never been a shooting on the premises in the 21 years this building has been open. A couple of my frineds witnessed the attack, and I'm sure they're in shock too.

No leads on who did this or why yet. There are rumors flying around the building, but I'm not going to get into them, because it's just too ghoulish to speculate with someone you know. There's crime scene tape over her cube and her computer is gone, I suppose to the police. I think too many of my co-workers watch CSI, and think their experts.

But!!!!!! I did get a first hand lesson in how people take a small amount of information, fly off the handle with wild speculations, and draw conclusions with those insipid theories, then opening their fat mouths to proclaim they all know what was up! :puke:

Look at the comments section here... there's even a teabagger/Birfer who throws his anti-Obama BS into it.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/21136617/detail.html

Barb was a single woman. I think she was lonely, but I don't know for sure. She may have been happy with her life. She was not married though, so to claim "It's gotta be domestic violence! I'd know it anywhere!" is just stupid!:grr: Adding insult to injury, No news was produced yesterday so I couldn't tell her story when I thought I needed to set these people straight. Now, I don't care. So maybe it's better.

Here's the update where they have a picture of Barb.
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/21148797/detail.html

Notice the Freep is back, and he thinks the web pic is live. That gate has been broken for a month, and is open. Which is how the gunner drove into our parking lot. More CSI wannabes.:eyes:

Kind of reminds me of the Ramsey case, where they had the Mother lynched before the Police said anything, or those 5 boys who got some from one girl, who cried rape until tone of them produced a video showing it was her idea. How about that Lacrosse team in NC who Nancy Grace had convicted on her TV show. When the stripper recanted, Grace conveniently took the day off from her show. Coward!

Anyhow, just wanted to vent and tell you about my friend.:cry:

[BlooInBloo]

1. :((((( I'm sorry.

[Barack_America]

2. I'm very sorry for your loss.

And I hope her killer is brought to justice.

:hug:

[EFerrari]

3. I'm so sorry, Touchdown.

:(

[rvablue]

4. Sorry, Touchdown and a small piece of unsolicited advice:

While you are mourning the passing of your co-worker/friend, stay away from those comment sections.

You'll have enough healing to do -- and reading that drivel will only make it more difficult.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. +1 people can and are nasty

[Touchdown]

25. Thanks. Channel 7's window is closed now.

I'll get my info from the cops. :hi:

[Thickasabrick]

5. I am so sorry. NT

[ddeclue]

6. Sorry to hear that... did it look like a robbery or something else?

[alsame]

7. I'm so sorry....

:hug:

[tammywammy]

9. I'm so sorry

That's just horrible

*hugs*

[tosh]

10. I am so sorry something like this happened to your friend

and co-worker. :hug:

Vent as long as it takes - my ears and my shoulders are yours.

Poor kitties - they will miss their mom and they won't understand.:cry:

[Hekate]

11. I'm so sorry. What a terrible shock for you. That poor woman....

:hug:

Hekate

[LisaM]

12. Oh, how horrible

I'm so sorry. Take care of yourself.

[CurtEastPoint]

13. I am so sorry for your loss.

This is such a tragedy. Any senseless death like this is. Inexplicable.

[mecherosegarden]

14. I am so sorry, Touchdown!

:grouphug:

[Orrex]

15. What a horrible thing to happen!

Best wishes to her family, friends, and coworkers. I hope that they improve the state of your lot's security!

[Triana]

16. "a first hand lesson in how people take a small amount of information"...

..."fly off the handle with wild speculations, and draw conclusions with those insipid theories, then opening their fat mouths to proclaim they all know what was up!"

Boy am I familiar with THAT little quirk of "human nature" - and with the concept of people being LYNCHED, essentially based on very little information and a whole LOT of twisted lies and speculation - especially when the tabloids / media is involved. (see sigline).

THAT SAID, I'm very sorry about the loss of your co-worker. I don't blame you for venting. That shit is the LAST thing you need when something like this has happened. I have NO doubt she was nothing like all the assinine speculation about her from "ex-spurts" - and she certainly did NOT deserve to have her life ended in such a cold and heinous way.

:hug:

[merh]

17. my condolences

I hope they provide you all grief counseling.

Hugs and prayers/good vibes for you and all who knew/loved her.

Be safe - maybe they will take this as a sign to improve security and make the area more secure for you all.

:hug:

[divideandconquer]

18. Another innocent sacrificed on the alter of the god damned 2nd amendment

[proteus_lives]

31. Yeah, because gang-bangers obey gun laws.

Let's take away the weapons from legal owners. That will protect everyone. :eyes:

[divideandconquer]

75. Japan, no guns, no gun crimes

[Recursion]

80. Switzerland, guns everywhere, no gun crimes

None of which is relevant to the pain the OP is feeling.

[Touchdown]

20. They are. AT&T's not very popular on DU, but they are one of the best to work for.

Although none of us appreciated the e-mail from PR/HR who labelled this murder an "Incident". Typical. Corporate image is more important than human beings.
Reminds me of the Star Trek movie, where a planet explodes, and the Klingons called it an "Incident on Praxis"... Sulu goes "an INCIDENT???!!!!"

Half of the building is in first alert mode right now. I work after dark, so some of the women ask us men to walk them out to their cars when they leave. We have no problem with that.

[merh]

27. you take care of yourself.

Thanks for watching out for others too. :hug:

[Soylent Brice]

19. : (

[Fire1]

21. That's just terrible. I'm so sorry. n/t

[brentspeak]

22. My condolences for your loss

[spanone]

23. sorry

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

24. I'm so sorry, Touchdown

I work security in a large office building, and I know that I do my best to make sure either my eyes or the cameras are on every employee as they leave the building and go to their cars in the lot each night.

Very well could have been a robbery. I think the idea that a robber "just wants to get out of there and not hurt you" is bullshit many times. I'm actually surprised the freep hasn't claimed it was gang activity.

[RamboLiberal]

26. Touchdown - I'm sorry for the loss of your coworker

What a shame. My sympathies to you, her family and her coworkers.

I hope the police catch the killer and that person spends the rest of their life in prison.

And AT&T should have better parking lot security if they have employees working after dark.

And IMHO for the most part news comments sections are worthless & often horribly cruel.

On edit there's a story about coworkers concerns about a disgruntled employee or ex-employee. http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/21152293/detail.html

[Touchdown]

30. That's the speculation around the building that I don't know enough to talk about.

The whole thing seemed like a small little spat to me "Don't touch my keyboard". It doesn't seem to fit. I doubt that's it... but again, when you watch CSI, you are an expert at crime.



On edit: I'm home with a twisted back. I read your link. It is good to see my co-workers following the company directives to the letter... "If a member of the media approaches you, refer them to the media relations office, and refrain from talking to them". That's my peeps!!!!:D

[RamboLiberal]

34. I wasn't speculating - just wondered if you had seen the story

Like I said, just hope they catch the killer.

[Touchdown]

36. No, I hadn't until just now. I'm not blaming you.

I heard all that stuff last night at work though. I still can't get it around my brain.

Thanks for the link. I like how my co-workers are defying company directives and talking to the press. We knew her! Some BA in PR from Dallas doesn't.

[enlightenment]

28. So sorry, Touchdown.

I worked for ATT in Denver for 9 years - in Aurora and down in the DTC. Very familiar with the 40th Ave facility, though it's been many years since I've been there.

I hope they catch the creep who did this, soon. ;(

[noiretextatique]

29. my condolences, Touchdown

i hope they find the person(s) responsible for this terrible murder.

[mainer]

32. Oh, this breaks my heart. She was like you and me.

A woman who thought she had countless tomorrows to look forward to. There are no political messages to draw from this. Just another human being whose dreams will never be fulfilled.

[Feron]

33. I'm very sorry for your loss. nt

[lillypaddle]

35. so sorry

for your friend, co-worker, her family, and you ... for the loss. OMG, nowadays this is not an unusual happenstance, unfortunately. Life is too precious, too short. Hang in there. Hopefully justice will be served, one way or another.

[Neecy]

37. Omigod - that second link has a HORRIBLE comment

Making fun of her weight.

I can't believe what fucking bastards people can be. Jesus Christ.

[Occulus]

40. All those comments are gone now n/t

[hfojvt]

that's what I thought too

people should have more class than that even when they are anonymous

[GreenPartyVoter]

38. I am so very sorry *hugs*

[MissMarple]

39. I am so very sorry. Wichita and now Denver, two senseless deaths...

:hug:

[REP]

41. I worked for SBC/ATT long enough to suspect a customer

Similar incidents (though with no deaths) happened when I worked there; some idiot (usually in an another city) would give out our physical address, and some psycho with a knife would enter the offices. One time it was a disgruntled former employee with a gun; at another office, a customer rammed his truck into the building. If this office has a collections center - whether or not this woman worked collections - I'm betting customer.

[Touchdown]

43. She's a technician. We engineer and turn up circuits.

You know, T1s and T3s... or T1=24 channels (phone numbers) T3=28 T1s.

We have no interface with the public. Don't deal with money, but we do disconnect circuits for non-payment.

[REP]

55. Customers just know it's a company office; they don't know company organization

All they know it's an office of that goddamn company who cut/denied service over their $1K+ debt/fraud and someone is going to pay. They don't know the office that issued the order is probably in another state or city. BTDT.

[Gwereeya]

42. Try to help her cats

I'm sorry if that seems callous, but, having watched today as men and women we elected shafted us, I'm not really "up on people" right now.

Animals are inherently innocent: Please, do what you can to make sure that those cats are okay.

[Touchdown]

45. Will do. Lots of cat lovers in the building, and probably her neighbors.

I'm sure they'll be in a good home. Can't be mine, because my little calico queen of the universe would go ape shit.

[chatnoir]

67. Was this poster t'stoned for concern about the cats?

How sad, if so.

So awful what happened to your co-worker. I am so sorry! She had a gentle face... :(

[Raine]

44. Much Sympathy

to her family and all her friends.

[Rainngirl]

46. I wonder if...

there will be a wrongful death suit based on the company not keeping that gate fixed. Might have been avoided. Poor lady. I'm very sorry this happened.

[Odin2005]

47. OMG, I'm so sorry!

:( :hug:

[Ignis]

48. Sorry for your loss, Touchdown.

Losing a friend is always hard, but it's especially tough when it's sudden and violent. :(

Hang in there.

[Withywindle]

49. That's so, so horrible!

I'm so sorry for your loss, even more so because it was so shocking. :hug:

[question everything]

50. This is horrible. My deepest condolences

How sad and frightening this has to be.

[XanaDUer]

51. She had a sweet face

I am very sorry for your loss, and I hope they find who did this.

[glinda]

52. This is awful. I am so sorry. I hope her family took her cats too. Geeesh!

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

53. Sorry for your loss.

I hope the police are able to identify the shooter, arrest them and send them to jail for the rest of their miserable life.

[NNadir]

54. I am very, very, very sorry. Please accept my sincere condolences.

[donheld]

56. I'm so very sorry

I drive by there every little bit.

[Crabby Appleton]

57. How awful. My deepest condolences

Rest In Peace Barb

[BuelahWitch]

58. I'm so sorry about your friend

:hug: Something similar happened in our parking lot when I was a phone rep for Verizon Wireless. Is your company providing any counseling for the staff?

[Touchdown]

64. They have counselors at our building now, if anyone wants to talk.

I have my own shrink, so no need to take up space.

She was just on the news 3 minutes ago! That's kind of neat.

[Cetacea]

59. Saddened and sorry for your loss.

Just terrible. I don't know what else to say. :(

[DesertRat]

60. I'm so sorry. Thank you for telling us about Barb

I hope that justice will be served. :cry:

[Liberal_in_LA]

61. OMG

[asdjrocky]

62. She sounds like a really neat person.

Someone I would have wanted to know. Sorry for your loss.

[Vidar]

63. I'm very sorry Touchdown. I wish Barb a better life next time around.

[Touchdown]

65. I'm going to print this thread out and share it with my friends at work.

... yes, even the Freepers too (maybe those 3 won't think we're so bad after all). Thanks everybody for your sympathy and words. :grouphug:

It has to be getting to many more than just me, that of all the people who this could happen to, Barb would be on the lowest probability. She had no enemies. Not that everybody else did, just that it's impossible to say I understand this with her. That's what's so strange. I guess violence sometimes has no logic to it.:shrug:

[loudsue]

66. I'm so sorry for your loss, touchdown.

:grouphug: That has to be very traumatic for you.

May she rest in peace.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

68. What a senseless tragedy

There are no words, really, other than to offer my sincerest thoughts, prayers, condolences and sympathies to you and to Barbara's friends and family:hug: :hug: I'm so sorry :hug:

I hope the perpertrators are caught and held to account for their crimes

[Broken_Hero]

69. I'm very sorry

I hope the police find whomever did this to your co-worker. Stay strong, :hug:

[Usrename]

70. please accept my condolences

:hug:

[newtothegame]

71. Sorry about this; hate crimes have got to end! n/t

[yoyossarian]

72. I'm terribly sorry for your loss... so sad.

:hug:

[goclark]

73. So sorry nt

[Leftist Agitator]

74. I'm sorry about the death of your coworker.

If I may ask, to what case does the following refer?

"those 5 boys who got some from one girl, who cried rape until tone of them produced a video showing it was her idea."

[madmax]

76. So sorry touchdown

:hug:

[wicket]

77. Rest in Peace Barbara Irish

:cry:

[Carni]

78. Wow! sorry! That is so awful and weird!

You'd think doing such a thing AT the office would have attracted a bunch of attention.

Maybe a random thing or carjacking attempt? Case of mistaken identity?

Sorry for your loss! :(

[Jennicut]

79. I am so sorry.

Sad and shocking at the same time. My Dad works at AT&T in CT, he works as a tech too. He does not work in a bad area but this could happen anywhere.