OSHA probes office shooting to stop others

Federal workplace investigators are looking into last week's shooting at a San Antonio real estate office to glean any clues to help prevent possible future violence at businesses. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration opened its investigation this week after learning the shootings at the Century 21 United-Action office at 3520 N. Loop 1604 East might not have been a random act. "We are looking for any patterns or relationships that can help us determine if these women were targeted," said Paul Brantley, area director of the OSHA office in Austin. OSHA's investigation is not punitive, and there are no citations or enforcement actions planned, Brantley said. The July 16 shootings by Realtor Ron G. Thomas left two co-workers, Anna Medcalf and Nancy Scharein, dead and a third, Jane Swanson, in critical condition at University Hospital. OSHA originally thought the shootings were random. However, a report in Sunday's San Antonio Express-News detailed a former employee's comments about tension in the office between Thomas and Medcalf. Police last week revealed that Thomas, who killed himself about two hours after the rampage, left a note in his vehicle containing derogatory comments about at least one of the women. Police have refused to say whose name is on the note or its contents. Police have not been contacted by OSHA, spokesman Gabe Trevino said, and information about the attack won't be released until detectives finish the investigation. Company officials could not be reached for comment. The investigation is a new type for OSHA, Brantley said. With recent killings in workplaces around the country, OSHA officials want local offices to investigate violence in offices to see if they can make any safety or prevention recommendations for employers, he said. "The No. 1 killer of women in the workplace is violence. ... If we can find some kind of link or pattern that can help, that would help," Brantley said. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------