On Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:50:35 -0800, jps wrote:


So our lawmakers will wake the **** up...


ST. LOUIS — A disgruntled worker embroiled in a pension dispute with
his company walked into the plant and opened fire Thursday, killing
three people, wounding five and sending frightened co-workers
scrambling into closets and to the snow-covered roof for safety.

Police said the gunman, identified as 51-year-old Timothy Hendron of
Webster Groves, a St. Louis suburb, showed up at Swiss-based ABB
Group's sprawling plant around 6:30 a.m., armed with an assault rifle
and a handgun.

Multiple St. Louis-area media outlets were reporting that Hendron was
believed to be among the dead, but police refused to confirm that.

Several hours after the shooting, officers were still inside the
plant, going room to room to make sure there were no more victims.

The motive for the shooting wasn't immediately known. But in 2006,
Hendron and other ABB workers sued the company over retirement losses.
The federal lawsuit accused ABB and its pension-review committee of
causing their 401(k) accounts to include investment options with
"unreasonable and excessive" – and undisclosed – fees and expenses.
The suit went to trial Tuesday in Kansas City.

Word of Hendron's alleged involvement in the shooting stunned his
neighbors in Webster Groves. Many neighbors described Hendron as an
amicable family man who kept a well-manicured home for his wife and
small boy.

"I couldn't ask for a better neighbor. We never had any problems with
him," said Glennon Meyer, a 71-year-old retiree who credits Hendron
with friendly gestures ranging from raking Meyer's leaves to bringing
over a chocolate cake last Christmas.

A few years ago, Meyer said, Hendron mentioned something in passing
about having problems on the job. Hendron didn't elaborate.

"Gee, I've talked to Tim many times, and he never exhibited any mental
aberration," Meyer said.

Ron Hawkins, who lives across the street from Hendron's split-level
home, echoed that.

"He seems like a really nice guy," said Hawkins, 72. "I know nothing
negative about he and the family."


How about that. No indication...