Local law enforcement talks workplace violence after fatal shooting

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A fatal shooting in Virginia Wednesday raises questions about workplace violence, but not just for news crews.

Alison Parker and Adam Ward were killed while doing a live interview for Virginia TV station WDBJ.  The gunman is allegedly a former reporter with the station who had been fired a couple of years ago.

Can workplace violence like this be prevented? We asked Lieutenant Louis Denoia with UNCW Police.

“Sometimes you can’t prevent them, ’cause there is no real sign of an active shooter that are shown,” Denoia said. “Most of the time they are impulsive acts that just occur.”

Sometimes he said they can be prevented.

“Many critical incidences have been prevented just because someone didn’t think someone was right,” Denoia said. “They get familiar with the way people are around them and the mood changes, the way they react in the work place.”

That is why UNCW Police offer an active shooter and work place violence class twice a month.

“You got to speak up,” Denoia said. “If you know something is not right, you have to say something to somebody.”

In this case, the WDBJ General Manager said Vester Flanagan was known for being unhappy, angry and hard to work with.

Whether this shooting could have been prevented or not, Denoia said everyone needs to learn how to be aware and reactive.

“Like I said many critical incidences have been prevented just by the what if,” Denoia said.

UNCW offers the active shooter and work place violence classes every second and fourth Wednesday of the month at the police department on Lionfish Drive. The classes are open to the public.