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Rage of the Random Actor Live Addendum
Chapter 18   
Organization and Workplace Prevention


DK (10-14-2007) Study of who experiences highest incidents of depression isn't reliable predictor for Random Actor Incidents. This study lists those occupations which are highest at risk for depression, and the highest risk are those places where you don't find these professionals committing Random Actor workplace violence, such as personal care and service, food preparation, and community and social services. An exception would be the British youth mentor who recruited youths to commit the July 7, 2005 London Tube bombing. I have found that it is common for HR professionals to assume that those who are most likely to experience depression are most likely to be Random Actors who will commit a workplace violence incident, but this isn't the case.  Study

DK: (2-1-06): First female postal shooter has Random Actor profile, kills eight and commits suicide. As it was just two days before President Bush's State of the Union address, it received almost no media attention, even though it was the first postal shooting in 8 years and the greatest loss of life in a mass work place shooting by a female. Tragically, Jennifer Sanmarco, 44, a former postal employee who was removed from her position at a mail sorting plant in Goleta, CA, shot and killed five and then herself around 9:00 pm on January 30. It appears that she also killed a neighbor before going to the plant. Immediately, the first coverage of her background revealed her high UNPREDICTABLE trait and her paranoia, which apparently manifested itself in a diagnosable condition. NYT Article  1st AP Article  2nd AP Article


DK (12-5-05): Colleague at work self-identifies that he once had the Random Actor profile. As the book is being read, colleagues in organizations have been able provide more positive environments that diffuses/avoids severe discomfort for a person with the Random Actor traits. Similarly, here is one dialogue that occurred a couple of months ago.

"A few weeks ago, a young man came by my desk who was a random actor. This young man has served me so kindly and patiently many times regarding one of my projects. He saw your book setting on my desk and inquired.  I briefly explained to him what it was.  He then said "I think that is what I was."  I said "really?"  I was surprised.
     I then asked, "what were you doing?"  He said he had an interest in bombs but that his real interest was in bringing a gun to school.  He also said that he had an interest in Osama bin Laden long before 9/11 and did a lot of reading about him.  I asked if he had been suicidal and he said sometimes. He said he and his father would fist fight each other and that he did not hang out with other kids. I know that he was part of the rave scene for awhile before he became a Christian.  He mentioned that now he has a much better relationship with his dad. He now is married and seems to be a stable young man in his twenties.  He had a high interest in getting your book. Thanks so much for this book!!"