Public Worker Shot while Collecting Trash

Safety at Work

Richmond, VA (WorkersCompensation.com) – A Richmond, Va., Department of Public Works employee was shot while collecting trash this week, one of several employees shot on the job recently across the country.

Richmond Police said they were called to North 18th Street around 1:30 a.m. on May 21 for a report that a person had been shot. When officers arrived, they found the Richmond trash collector injured by an apparent gunshot wound. He had been in the midst of his job duties at the time.

Detectives said their investigation found that there was a confrontation among other people in front of a business that resulted in a suspect or suspects shooting at a vehicle leaving the area.

Officials said the employee was near the vehicle in a city of Richmond Department of Public Works trash collection truck when he was shot. Detectives have not released any additional information in the connection to the incident.

Richmond Mayor Danny Avula expressed his sorrow over the shooting in a statement.

“I was so saddened to hear about a City of Richmond Department of Public Works employee who was wounded while doing his job,” he said. “Guns are taking a serious toll on people, and it’s not okay. Every Richmonder deserves to feel safe, whether you’re out with friends or out collecting trash at 1:30 in the morning.”

The employee was taken to a nearby hospital and treated for his injuries.

In Charlotte, N.C., an employee was shot by a co-worker over burnt biscuits.

Mecklenburg County officials said Rodney Wood, 22, was arrested on May 11 after allegedly shooting his coworker. Wood has been charged with attempted first-degree murder as well as assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, arrest records show.

Officials said the altercation began inside a Popeyes restaurant. Police records indicated that witnesses stated Wood got into a disagreement with the employee over “burnt biscuits.” The witness told police the employees took the argument outside after one “challenged” the other, which led to a physical confrontation. At some point, Wood allegedly took out a gun and shot the employee two times.

Video from the scene allegedly showed Wood “discharged his firearm twice at point-blank range,” officials said.

The bullets hit the victim in the chest and groin. He was rushed to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery.

Officials allegedly ran from the Popeyes after the shooting, but authorities found him and arrested him later that day in the same shopping center as the restaurant.

Police said Wood told authorities that his coworker had punched him in the face and that the shots were “warning shots,” and not intended to be fatal. But police also said Wood “failed to articulate a credible, imminent threat of deadly force necessary to support a self-defense claim.”

Both Wood and the victim were managers at the restaurant, officials said. Wood was arrested and his bond was set at $50,000.

In Kansas City, a discrepancy in employee pay led to a shooting.

Officials said Isaiah N. Williams, 25, of Blue Springs, was charged with the shooting of a co-worker. According to the Kansas City Police Department, emergency crews were called for reports of a shooting. When they arrived, they found a victim in front of a building with a gunshot wound to his abdomen.

The victim, whose name was not released, told officials he’s been shot by a coworker, Williams. The victim told police there had been an argument about pay for him and his employees, but that Williams was told to shoot him by an unnamed individual. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital and treated for his injuries.

Detectives said they found seven spent shell casings and a pickup truck still running with five bullet holes in it. Officials issued a warrant for Williams on May 8, and he was arrested on May 15. Williams denied he had anything to do with the shooting, but was charged with assault in the first degree, unlawful use of a weapon, and two counts of armed criminal action.

In Las Vegas, a gym employee was killed when a gunman entered the gym and opened fire.

According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the gunman entered a Las Vegas Athletic Club on May 17 and shot the employee, killing him. The gunman also injured three others at the club. Police said they saw the gunman exit the gym and try to run past them, leading to them shooting the suspect, Daniel Ortega, 34.

Ortega was treated for injuries sustained in the shootout but later died at the hospital.

“Fortunately, [Ortega] had a malfunction in his weapon which saved this from becoming a mass casualty event,” Assistant Sheriff Jamie Prosser stated during a press conference on Monday.

Police said they saw Ortega through the windows.

“When officers arrived, he had not been shooting. Had he been, they would have pushed through those doors and engaged him,” Prosser said. “When they came up to the window as you can see, they were able to see him through the window and our officer was able to take that shot.”

Police said Ortega was also carrying extra ammunition and magazines on him. Police said he was a member of the gym, but there was no indication of what his motivation was.

In a post on X, Las Vegas Athletic Club identified the victim as one of its employees, Edgar Quinonez.

“Edgar was a beloved part of the LVAC family for 15 years,” the gym said in its post. “We are praying for Edgar’s family, friends, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be deeply missed.”

The gym said it would be closed temporarily as the investigation into the shooting continues.

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