MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The man responsible for the deadly work place shooting at Accent Signage had a history of problems on the job.
Andrew Engeldinger shot and killed five co-workers, a UPS driver and himself on Sept. 27, just minutes after he was fired.
Among those killed were Accent Signage owner Rueven Rahamin and Rami Cooks, two of Engeldinger’s supervisors.
When Andrew Engeldinger opened fire inside Accent Signage, the terror he created lasted a matter of minutes. But, according to his personnel file, the problems in his work history lasted far longer.
He was hired in 1999, but his work file was relatively clean until 2006.
Documentation dated Oct. 24, 2006 includes an official warning by managers John Souter and Rami Cooks, the first two targets during the shooting.
Two co-workers complained that Engeldinger was rude and abusive to a new employee. Ten days later, Engeldinger complained to Rahamin, the owner of Accent Signage.
The file quotes Engeldinger as saying, “everyone is abusive to me.” He also told Rahamin that he needed to talk to his lawyer when asked about specific names.
Nothing was added to the file until January of 2007, when managers spoke to him for refusing to follow new manufacturing procedures. In July of that year, two more co-workers complained of his abrasive behavior. Another complaint was filed in November.
Then on Sept. 20, 2012, Rami Cooks added the final addition to Engeldinger’s file, a written warning addressing problems with tardiness.
Eight days later, Engeldinger would carry out the worst workplace shooting in Minnesota history.
According to the documents, every time management talked to Engeldinger, they set up a course of action to deal with any issues.
Souter was shot, but survived his injuries.
