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Postal Workers Mourn Shootings in Santa Barbara

APWU Web News Article #07-06b, Jan. 31, 2006

Ze Fairchild	Nicola Grant
Maleka Higgins	Dexter Shannon
	Guadalupe Swartz

“It was with deep sadness that we learned of the tragic shooting at the Santa Barbara Processing & Distribution Center on Jan. 30,” said APWU President William Burrus.

“On behalf of APWU members across the country, we offer our prayers and condolences to the victims, their families, and to the postal workers who have suffered through this terrible incident.”

Authorities reported that a former employee killed five employees before turning the gun on herself. The Postal Service has released the names of the victims: Mail Processing Clerk Ze Fairchild, 37; Bulk Mail Clerk Nicola Grant, 42; Mail Processing Clerk Maleka Higgins, 28; Mail Processing Clerk Dexter Shanon, 58; and Mail Processing Clerk Guadalupe Swartz, 52. Training Technician Charlotte Colton, 44, was wounded and is in critical condition. The shooter's name is being withheld, pending notification of her family.

Professional counselors have been made available to family members and co-workers of the victims. The facility is currently closed.

“In the coming days we will work with postal officials and law enforcement officers to assist the families of the victims and employees who have been traumatized by this horrible event,” Burrus said.

“We will also continue to work to ensure that postal employees are safe and can report to work without fear.”

 

Charlotte Colton

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Joint Statement of USPS Union and Management Association Leadership

An Expression of Solidarity - Burrus Update #04-06, Feb. 1, 2006

 

 

 

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