The Aftermath of the Albuquerque, New Mexico, Office Shooting

Four people are wounded and three people are dead, including shooter Robert Reza, 37, who opened fire at Emcore Fiber Optics in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This was reportedly a domestic dispute between Reza, a former Emcore employee, and his girlfriend, who has two children with Reza. The children have been taken into protective custody and are being interviewed. Reza shot six people before turning the gun on himself. Reza's former girlfriend is listed as being in critical condition. Police responded quickly to the 911 call and shut down the area, closing off roads.

I don't personally know anyone who works at Emcore, but I can vouch for the effects it has had on the citizens of Albuquerque. There is a heightened awareness, even though this shooting was an isolated incident with an intended target. The potential for violent behavior is present in just about anyone. That was evidenced to me today, when a man approached my husband while he was filling up with gas in Albuquerque before dawn. Because my husband refused to hand the man his cell phone so he could make a call, he became extremely agitated and proceeded to scream and threaten physical violence. The incident ended with the man walking off without altercation, but the potential threat was terrifying. I can only imagine being present at Emcore while a gunman shot random people.

We have always had to be aware of our surroundings and people in the area of Albuquerque where my husband works because of transients, beggars and drug users who are often loitering in the parking lot of his business or those nearby.

I was at home in Rio Rancho, just Northwest of Albuquerque, when the shooting happened. My husband was at work in West Albuquerque. While he was far removed from the area where Emcore is located, I still called him, concerned about what was transpiring and how it was affecting him at work. There was no lockdown on businesses in his area, but customers were coming in, talking about the shooting, and one customer stated that his wife works at the hospital that was treating the wounded.

Workers from Emcore are unable to comment at the present time regarding the incident and the motive behind it. The police have determined that it was a domestic dispute; however, the shooter was a former employee of Emcore. It will be interesting to find out in the future how the case unfolds, and if the rampage was fueled by something other than a personal relationship.

Resources

Michael Haederle, "3 Dead In Albuquerque Office Rampage", Los Angeles Times

Associated Press, "Three dead, four hurt in workplace shooting in new mexico", Washington Post

KOAT, "Three Dead, Four Injured in Office Shooting"

Eyewitness News 4, "Police: 3 dead, 4 wounded in Albuquerque Shooting", KOB