Incident: The Virginia Beach Municipal Center shooting on May 31, 2019.

Causes: The shooter, DeWayne Craddock, was a city employee who had been passed over for promotions and was reportedly unhappy with his job. He also had a history of mental health problems.

Security Response: Police responded to the scene within minutes of the shooting and killed the shooter. However, the shooter was able to kill 12 people and injure four others before he was stopped.

Telltale Signs: Craddock had exhibited a number of telltale signs before the shooting, including:

• He had made threats of violence to his co-workers.
• He had been disciplined for inappropriate behavior at work.
• He had been referred to the city’s employee assistance program for mental health problems.

Preventative Measures: It is difficult to say definitively whether any preventative measures could have been taken to mitigate the Virginia Beach shooting. However, some possible measures include:

• Conducting more thorough background checks for employees, with a focus on mental health history.
• Providing more training for employees on how to identify and report potential threats of violence.
• Having a more robust system for responding to threats of violence.

Discussion:

The Virginia Beach shooting was a tragic event that could have been prevented. The shooter had exhibited a number of telltale signs before the shooting, but these signs were not taken seriously enough. The city also had a number of security vulnerabilities that the shooter exploited.

There are a number of lessons that can be learned from the Virginia Beach shooting. First, it is important to take threats of violence seriously, even if they seem vague or unlikely. Second, employers should conduct thorough background checks for employees, with a focus on mental health history. Third, employers should provide training for employees on how to identify and report potential threats of violence. Fourth, employers should have a robust system for responding to threats of violence.

Additional Thoughts:

In addition to the preventative measures listed above, there are a number of other things that can be done to reduce the risk of workplace violence. These include:

• Creating a positive and supportive work environment.
• Addressing employee grievances promptly and fairly.
• Providing employees with access to employee assistance programs and other resources for mental health support.
• Having a clear and concise policy on workplace violence that is communicated to all employees.

It is important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to preventing workplace violence. The best approach will vary depending on the specific workplace and its employees. However, by taking the steps outlined above, employers can reduce the risk of workplace violence and protect their employees.