Ex-worker charged in Ga. fatal workplace shooting

[February 04, 2010]  KENNESAW, Ga. (AP) -- Two people died when a former employee dressed in camouflage opened fire at a truck rental business northwest of Atlanta, police said, marking the second fatal workplace shooting this month in the U.S.

Three more people were injured when a lone gunman Tuesday stormed the Penske Truck Rental facility in Kennesaw. The man fled the scene in a pickup truck but was arrested about a mile away, said Cobb County Police Officer Joe Hernandez.

"He wasn't here for very long and it wasn't long before he was taken into custody," Hernandez said.

Hernandez said Jessie James Warren, 60, was arrested without incident. He said Warren is charged with two counts of murder and five counts of aggravated assault.

Hernandez identified those killed as Van Springer, 59, of Woodstock and Jaider Phillipe Marvlanda, 43, of Lawrenceville. He said all those shot were men.

It is the second workplace shooting this month. Timothy Hendron, an employee at ABB Inc. electrical plant in St. Louis, is accused of shooting hundreds of rounds of ammunition through the sprawling plant as about 50 workers sought refuge. Authorities say he killed three men and injured five others before killing himself.

In the Georgia case, about two dozen employees were working at the Penske office, which is about 25 miles northwest of Atlanta and consists of a couple of large buildings with bay doors, Penske spokesman Randy Ryerson said.

One of the victims died at the scene and another was pronounced dead at WellStar Kennestone Hospital, said Hernandez. The three survivors were in critical condition, said hospital spokesman Keith Bowermaster.

The suspect worked at Penske for several years, but it was unclear when and why he left.

The gunman first confronted someone in the parking lot before moving to the truck bay area, shooting victims along the way, said Hernandez. He did not try to enter the building's second floor, which houses a small administration office.

A man who witnessed the arrest said the suspect looked "out of his mind" and "all drugged up."

"The cops walked up on both sides of the truck, he opened the door and they threw him on the ground. He pretty much just gave up," Michael Robertson told The Associated Press.

Lights were on but no one appeared to be home at an address listed for Warren in Temple. No one answered the door but a dog could be heard barking.

[Associated Press; By KATE BRUMBACK]

Associated Press writer Greg Bluestein in Atlanta contributed to this report.

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