Virginia news crew shooting prompts businesses to prepare for violence in the workplace



MILWAUKEE -- The shooting of a Virginia news reporter and photographer is causing some companies, especially media entities, to rethink policies and practices. It is making some think about if there is anything that can be done to guard against such violence.

"It's terrible. It's terrible. And then for the suspect to record it and put it on social media, you can see that's not right," said Brian Dorow, former police officer.

What happened in Virginia is perhaps one of the most dangerous types of workplace violence situations.

"That person isn't going to rationally think about punishment when that person isn't thinking about living," said Dorow.

Former police officer Brian Dorow says he was recently stalked and threatened by someone he once arrested. He reported it to other officials. That's what he recommends others do too.

It seems the television crew in Virginia did not have knowledge what might happen to them and who would do it.

"If someone is stalking an individual unbeknownst to them. Someone is armed and may come up to you -- in those particular cases, if you know you may be the target you have to be very cautious. You always have to be vigilant of your surroundings and who is coming near you," said Dorow.

Dorow, who now teaches law enforcement at the Waukesha County Technical College, says companies should talk to employees about workplace security.

"They're targeting a certain individual. Whether it's a coworker, whether its a supervisor that they perceive did something wrong to them and is responsible for them getting into trouble. All these things play out, but it's what this person perceives and who they're holding responsible for it in their mind," said Dorow.

And Dorow says another thing to be aware of, obviously when you're dealing with a person who may be delusional and mentally ill, logic and reality have little to do with it.