Author Topic: Johnson Space Center Evacuated  (Read 27099 times)

Offline zinfab

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Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« on: 04/20/2007 07:40 pm »
Does anyone have any details on this? I just saw the ticker on msnbc.com.

"Johnson Space center building evacuated amid reports of person with gun"

cnn.com:

"Police are responding to a report of gunfire at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas."

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gunman at JSC
« Reply #1 on: 04/20/2007 07:41 pm »
Building 44 has been evacuated due to a report of a gunman.   We have been instructed to stay indoors.  SWAT is reportedly on the way.  Police and ambulances are standing by.

Offline Chris Bergin

Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #2 on: 04/20/2007 07:43 pm »
on the news, not sure what more we can add here but hopefully everyone is ok.
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Offline zinfab

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #3 on: 04/20/2007 07:44 pm »
Building 44, reports of shots fired. Gunman still inside, as reports state.

Offline zinfab

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Offline HailColumbia

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Re: gunman at JSC
« Reply #5 on: 04/20/2007 07:45 pm »
ahh shit.

for those of us who are unfamiliar, what's in building 44?
-Steve

Offline Chris Bergin

Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #6 on: 04/20/2007 07:47 pm »
CNN showing it live. Some fool of a commentator going on about this being the last thing they need after the Nowak situation (thanks for mentioning that!)

Building 44.
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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #7 on: 04/20/2007 07:48 pm »
Our own JimO on the phone at MSNBC.  Seems to be contained at Building 44.
.:: Matt ::.

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Re: gunman at JSC
« Reply #8 on: 04/20/2007 07:48 pm »
Email:

We have a report of an individual with a gun in Bldg 44.  Security has responded and evacuated the building while continuing to evaluate the situation.   As always we are concerned about the safety and security of our employees.  Please cooperate with security during this time.  We will keep you posted.

email:

Security Situation in Building 44

We have a report of an individual with a weapon in Building 44. Security has responded and evacuated the building while continuing to evaluate the situation. Residents of all other buildings are advised to shelter in place until further notice. The roads around Building 44 are blocked.

As always we are concerned about the safety and security of our employees. Please cooperate with security during this time. We will keep you posted.





BLDG 44 is the home or EV - the avionics and comm group.  

Offline Chris Bergin

RE: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #9 on: 04/20/2007 07:50 pm »
Threads merged, let's keep this all in one place.

Hope everyone is ok.
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Offline zinfab

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #10 on: 04/20/2007 08:01 pm »
"gunman contained in one room."

"everyone appears to be out of the building."

"no indications as of yet that anyone has been injured."

"the building is isolated from the others."

Offline collectSPACE

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RE: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #11 on: 04/20/2007 08:05 pm »
Description of suspect from the police: A white man, age 50-52, blond hair, no facial hair, glasses, 5'9", blueish or gray shirt and blue jeans.

Offline stockman

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RE: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #12 on: 04/20/2007 08:08 pm »
Did a Shot actually get fired? I am hearing conflicting reports
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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #13 on: 04/20/2007 08:12 pm »
More and more reports coming in of a shot fired now...
.:: Matt ::.

Offline collectSPACE

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RE: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #14 on: 04/20/2007 08:19 pm »
According to KTRK TV 13 Houston (via CNN), citing NASA spokesman James Hartsfield, there is now confirmation of shots having been fired.

Offline zinfab

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #15 on: 04/20/2007 08:19 pm »
police state that THEY did not hear shots, while individuals report hearing shots during the initial calls to the police.

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #16 on: 04/20/2007 08:20 pm »
All of JSC is "sheltering in place".  Can't get much news - the internet is overloaded from all the video streaming.   All of my people are accounted for.

Offline publiusr

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #17 on: 04/20/2007 08:23 pm »
Not again...God no!

Offline zinfab

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #18 on: 04/20/2007 08:24 pm »
An employee of subcontractor -  Jacobs Engineering.


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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #19 on: 04/20/2007 08:27 pm »
Quote
zinfab - 20/4/2007  1:24 PM

An employee of subcontractor -  Jacobs Engineering.



Heard on the KPRC feed.... Nice job on the guilty until proven innocent front, saying "the gunman" is an employee.....

No need for a trial now....

Offline zinfab

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #20 on: 04/20/2007 08:36 pm »
Jacobs is responsible for ISS engineering equipment, according to MSNBC. Any more details?


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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #21 on: 04/20/2007 08:42 pm »
Quote
rdale - 20/4/2007  10:40 PM

Quote
publiusr - 20/4/2007  4:23 PM

Not again...God no!

When has this happened at JSC in the past?
He was most likely referring to VT massacre earlier this week.
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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #22 on: 04/20/2007 08:45 pm »
Shelter in place has been lifted.  I'm outta here.

Offline zinfab

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #23 on: 04/20/2007 08:45 pm »
bless you bhankiii! thanks for your words!

Offline zinfab

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #24 on: 04/20/2007 08:47 pm »

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #25 on: 04/20/2007 08:50 pm »
Quote
zinfab - 20/4/2007  3:36 PM

Jacobs is responsible for ISS engineering equipment, according to MSNBC. Any more details?


At JSC, Jacobs holds the ESCG contract, and is doing a bunch of the engineering contract work here, including LIDS, advanced suit, crew quarters, a lot of ISS support, TVIS, CVIS, and I don't know what all.  It's the same group of people who were all Lockheed before Jacobs won the contract a couple of years ago.

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #26 on: 04/20/2007 08:55 pm »
Could I suggest this be kept to news updates - maybe a separate thread for well-wishers if you need to...

Live coverage available from all the Houston TV news websites and CNN

Offline astrobrian

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #27 on: 04/20/2007 08:57 pm »

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #28 on: 04/20/2007 08:58 pm »
Press conference around 5pm EDT / 21Z

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #29 on: 04/20/2007 09:01 pm »
Quote
rdale - 20/4/2007  10:58 PM
Press conference around 5pm EDT / 21Z
NASA TV?
"For Sardines, space is no problem!"
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"We're rolling in the wrong direction but for the right reasons"
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Offline Chris Bergin

Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #30 on: 04/20/2007 09:06 pm »
JSC workers are being told it's safe to leave
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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #31 on: 04/20/2007 09:07 pm »
Quote
DaveS - 20/4/2007  5:01 PM

Quote
rdale - 20/4/2007  10:58 PM
Press conference around 5pm EDT / 21Z
NASA TV?

No, Houston TV.

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #32 on: 04/20/2007 09:08 pm »
Pere NASA spokesperson -- Around 1:40pm CDT, security dept rcvd call of man w/weapon at bldng 44 and unconfirmed report of shots fired. Few local buildings were evaced and local roads closed, but rest of JSC was normal.

Jacobs Eng confirms it was an employee of theirs, NASA did not confirm.

Offline collectSPACE

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RE: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #33 on: 04/20/2007 09:08 pm »
JSC-wide e-mail:

Quote
Security Situation Update

In the last e-mail communication, employees were encouraged to remain in their buildings. There’s no need to continue to shelter-in-place. Employees are welcome to leave as they desire.

In light of the ongoing situation, employees are asked to exit through the following gates:
  • For those in the 300 and 400 area, please exit through the Space Center Boulevard gate near Bay Area Boulevard.

  • For employees located in the 200 area and core area, please exit through the main gate or through the Space Center Boulevard gate (closest to the NASA Parkway and the Hilton).

  • For parents departing the child care center, please use the Gilruth exit or the "Hilton Gate."
To ensure your safety, Security has blocked off Second Street -- the road in front of Building 44.

We appreciate your continued cooperation with Security officials.

----
Brought to you by the JSC Office of Communications and Public Affairs.

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #34 on: 04/20/2007 09:10 pm »
Suspect is confined to one room on the second floor.

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #35 on: 04/20/2007 09:11 pm »
Basically now they just wait him out - there's no threat to anyone around the center, just this gunman.

Offline NASA_Twix_JSC

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #36 on: 04/20/2007 09:13 pm »
Not really noticed any major worries over all of this. Mainly a lot of post VT caution, but everything's always felt under control. The News Media has once again been vultures and made this out to be dramatic, especially CNN, with crap about Nowak again.

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #37 on: 04/20/2007 09:14 pm »
I've not heard any media 'vulturing' -- just covering it as they would cover any other event. The coverage today in no way reflects VaTech. A gunman at a NASA center would have been this much news last week.

Offline astrobrian

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #39 on: 04/20/2007 09:17 pm »
Good old Kelly Humphries did an interview - not used to seeing him outside of mission control ;>

Offline Chris Bergin

Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #40 on: 04/20/2007 09:21 pm »
Quote
rdale - 20/4/2007  10:11 PM

Basically now they just wait him out - there's no threat to anyone around the center, just this gunman.

Gives him a chance to come to his senses and give up, with a peaceful conclusion, which this hopefully appears to be heading.
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Offline zinfab

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #41 on: 04/20/2007 09:23 pm »
Description Chris posted just made it out to MSNBC.

press conference at 5:30 EDT now--
msnbc says this is a NASA news conference--
local tv says it's a police conference.

don't know if nasatv will cover, but standard media surely will.

Offline zinfab

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #42 on: 04/20/2007 09:31 pm »
Captain Dwayne Wright reporting

- everyone is here
- one suspect, white male 50-60 with one weapon.
- no id on weapon
- negotiators here
- cannot confirm whether there is anyone else with him
- no motive.
- no confirmed id, or communication to person.
- our personnel working with nasa doing headcount.

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #43 on: 04/20/2007 09:31 pm »
NASA would not have the police info... It's Houston Police, there's really no news other than what we've brought up. Still haven't talked to him, can't confirm that all employees are safe but no reason to believe otherwise. SWAT is clearing the immediate area. Confirm that 2 shots fired.

Offline zinfab

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #44 on: 04/20/2007 09:33 pm »
- confirmed that initial reports say 2 shots fired nasa employee saw suspect fire.
- no one can say if anyone was hit, no injuries reported.
- one of the rooms, barricaded.
- equipment still coming in.
- cant tell you if he's alive or not.

Offline astrobrian

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #45 on: 04/20/2007 09:35 pm »

Offline zinfab

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #46 on: 04/20/2007 09:36 pm »
- no police officers have made visual contact.
- have tried to communicate, but no response.
- command post is coming in


NASA spokesman (eileen hawley)
- sent email as info mechanism
- called all major offices

Offline zinfab

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #47 on: 04/20/2007 09:40 pm »
- standard rules that randomly search vehicles, but this will all be reviewed later
- disruption of procedures: no effect to center operations
-

- another conference at 5p CDT. (likely to slip)

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #48 on: 04/20/2007 09:43 pm »
Quote
zinfab - 20/4/2007  3:36 PM

Jacobs is responsible for ISS engineering equipment, according to MSNBC. Any more details?


The Jacobs team won the Engineering Support Contract for JSC back in 2004 and beat out the Lockheed team. One of the strengths that got them the contract that was the better way that they would treat their employees with profit sharing, position rotations amoungst other things.

Offline Chris Bergin

RE: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #49 on: 04/20/2007 09:45 pm »
Jacobs won $500m contract relating to CEV a while ago: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=3555
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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #50 on: 04/20/2007 09:51 pm »
At home now.

I can't figure out who this guys is.  Most of the people in 44 are EE types, and all the Jacobs EE's I know are accounted for (I'm Jacobs).  He might be on one of the other contracts, beside ESC.  The Jacobs engineers that are 50+ are few indeed.  



Offline zinfab

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #51 on: 04/20/2007 10:01 pm »
local:
- secret service apparently called NASA to ask what was up
- zoomed in to the windows... saw no movement.
- ambulance moving forward

national:
- a wounded person inside the building

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #52 on: 04/20/2007 10:06 pm »
- looking more like a suicide--reports that police are walking in relaxed fashion.

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #53 on: 04/20/2007 10:12 pm »
They may be on a side opposite the gunman - is that from a report or is that someone's conjecture?

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #54 on: 04/20/2007 10:15 pm »
two dead.

Offline zinfab

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #55 on: 04/20/2007 10:17 pm »
homicide squad (houston news) present.
internal affairs present
implies police shot someone.

bhan, that sounds awful.

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #56 on: 04/20/2007 10:17 pm »
Police are waiting for a warrant to search the shooter's house.  He lives in the area, single.

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #57 on: 04/20/2007 10:23 pm »
Quote
zinfab - 20/4/2007  5:17 PM

homicide squad (houston news) present.
internal affairs present
implies police shot someone.

bhan, that sounds awful.




just waiting on the names...

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #58 on: 04/20/2007 10:23 pm »
CNN is reporting that the gunman and a hostage are dead.

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #59 on: 04/20/2007 10:25 pm »
police report:
- one more gunshot
- decision made to enter
- determined suspect killed himself
- same floor, one hostage shot (thought to have occurred at the beginning) - male victim
- one other hostage, survived (duct-taped feet and arms) female
- no actual communication was ever made
- handgun, revolver .38 or .357  (possibly snubnose)

Offline collectSPACE

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RE: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #60 on: 04/20/2007 10:32 pm »
Quote
bhankiii - 20/4/2007  5:23 PM

just waiting on the names...
The gunman: William A. Phillips, Jr.

According to NASA's employee directory, Mr. Phillips was employed by Engineering and Sciences Contract Group (ESCG).

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #61 on: 04/20/2007 10:42 pm »
From x500, which is available on the www:

Postal Address: Code EV813/LM
Room Number:   Building: 44, Room 202

Edit: removed contact info.
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Offline landofgrey

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #62 on: 04/20/2007 10:48 pm »
Williams' address:
14000 Blk of Jade Meadow Ct.
Southeast Houston

(Blk = Block, exact address not given for obvious reasons)
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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #63 on: 04/20/2007 10:50 pm »
The duct-taped female hostage walked out of the building under her own power but held by a paramedic (stressed out I'm sure)
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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #64 on: 04/20/2007 11:32 pm »
MSNBC with more details:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18233965/
"Authorities did not identify any of those involved in the ordeal. However, co-workers told MSNBC.com on condition of anonymity that the gunman was long considered an office hothead. He did not work at Building 44, but rather at a nearby office building, they said.

A NASA spokesman said the agency would likely review its security. "Any organization would take a good, hard look at the kind of review process we have with people," Doug Peterson said."

Offline collectSPACE

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #65 on: 04/20/2007 11:40 pm »
Quote
zinfab - 20/4/2007  6:32 PM

MSNBC with more details:

"Authorities did not identify any of those involved in the ordeal. However, co-workers told MSNBC.com on condition of anonymity that the gunman was long considered an office hothead. He did not work at Building 44, but rather at a nearby office building, they said.
For what it's worth, Phillips' name was reported by CNN Headline News, citing the police...

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #66 on: 04/21/2007 12:54 am »
Dave Beverly - our EEE parts guy apparently was the victim.  I just talked to him last week.  Dave's job was to help us determine what electrical and electronic parts were qualified for space flight.

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #67 on: 04/21/2007 01:00 am »
houston local news has a pretty thorough report:
http://www.khou.com/topstories/stories/khou070420_mh_jscevacuation.2acd63a6.html

" A source inside JSC told 11 News that a meeting was under way in a conference room when the gunman walked in and pointed a gun at one person. He ordered everyone else out."

" Coats said Phillips had worked at NASA for "12 to 13 years" and "until recently" was a good employee."

" Hurt said the gun used was a revolver purchased on March 18 at a local gun shop."

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #68 on: 04/21/2007 01:38 am »
Quote
bhankiii - 21/4/2007 11:54 AM

Dave Beverly - our EEE parts guy apparently was the victim. I just talked to him last week. Dave's job was to help us determine what electrical and electronic parts were qualified for space flight.

I'm very sorry for the loss of your colleague. This is just terrible!! What's gotten into people lately?? :(
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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #69 on: 04/21/2007 01:48 am »
I'd like to extend my condolences as well.  This is a terrible thing.
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RE: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #70 on: 04/21/2007 02:24 am »
Sent to JSC employees:

Quote
A Message from Center Director Mike Coats

A tragedy struck our NASA family today.

While we don't yet understand all that's happened, our hearts and prayers go out to the families and coworkers who lost their loved ones today and to the survivor who endured a tragic ordeal.

Violence of this kind is always difficult to understand. In the days to come, you may find yourself experiencing a variety of physical or emotional reactions. If you'd like to talk with someone, there are resources to help you. Please call the Employee Assistance Program.

As we learn more about this event and its causes, we'll share that information as we can. In the meantime, please take this time to care for yourself and the people around you.

Mike

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #71 on: 04/21/2007 02:37 am »
msnbc.com reports he may have been about to lose his job:

"Ready described Phillips as being between 50 and 60 years old. He declined to speculate on what his motive might have been, but based on the reports from co-workers, the motive may have been work-related, perhaps even related to a pending dismissal."

"Police said homicide investigators searched the gunman’s house where he lived alone and found no guns or any evidence at all about the shooting."


KHOU reports:
"He said investigators were looking into a story that Phillips had lunch with his two victims earlier in the day.

Hurt said police found a message on a dry erase board in the office where the shootings took place. Hurt would not reveal the specific messages left but confirmed that Phillips had written down several phone numbers of people to contact. "

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #72 on: 04/21/2007 02:40 am »
Heartfelt sympathies to all those who are affected by this senseless act of violence. :(

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RE: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #73 on: 04/21/2007 03:03 am »
Johnson Space Center Director Michael Coats and Houston Police Chief William Hurt confirmed the names of the gunman and victims of Friday's shooting at the space center:

Video Press Conference stream:
http://www.khou.com/video/news-index.html?nvid=137550

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RE: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #74 on: 04/21/2007 03:41 am »
got home a few hours ago -- bummer of a story.

JSC is already awash in stories of speeding TV trucks rushing to work sites and not stopping for pedestrians in crosswalks. That's tacky, but the employees complaining about lack of traffic civility on a day like today might also be suffering from a priority distortion field.

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #75 on: 04/21/2007 04:03 am »
Quote
bhankiii - 20/4/2007  8:54 PM

Dave Beverly - our EEE parts guy apparently was the victim.  I just talked to him last week.  Dave's job was to help us determine what electrical and electronic parts were qualified for space flight.

So sorry to read that.

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #76 on: 04/21/2007 05:11 am »
Condolences to the family of the victim.  That is absolutely terrible.
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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #77 on: 04/21/2007 06:22 am »
April 20, 2007

Bob Jacobs
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1760

RELEASE: 07-90

STATEMENT BY NASA ADMINISTRATOR MICHAEL GRIFFIN ON SHOOTINGS AT JOHNSON SPACE CENTER

All of us at NASA are profoundly saddened by today's tragedy at the
Johnson Space Center in Houston. Our hearts go out to the families of
the victims and all those touched by today's events.


-end-
Jacques :-)

Offline Chris Bergin

RE: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #78 on: 04/21/2007 05:45 pm »
NASA, HPD Set Briefing at 1 P.M. CDT to Update JSC Incident

HOUSTON - NASA and the Houston Police Department have set a press briefing for 1 p.m. CDT today to update information on Friday's shooting at the Johnson Space Center.


The briefing will be held in the press briefing room at the JSC Newsroom. Media should wait at Rocket Park near the main entrance to JSC to be escorted to the briefing.


  Questions will be taken from media in attendance.
  Participants will include:

  -- Mike Griffin, NASA Administrator
  -- Mike Coats, Director, Johnson Space Center
  -- Harold Hurtt, Chief, Houston Police Department
  -- Lon Miller, Chief Executive Officer, Jacobs Engineering

  Contact:
  James Hartsfield
  Johnson Space Center, Houston
  Phone 281-483-5111


PRNewswire -- April 21


Source: NASA

Web site: http://www.nasa.gov/


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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #79 on: 04/21/2007 06:03 pm »
Will this be on NASA TV?
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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #80 on: 04/21/2007 06:39 pm »
Considering that you posted this while the press conference was ongoing - there's probably a quicker way to check ;>

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #81 on: 04/21/2007 06:48 pm »
Quote
rdale - 21/4/2007  1:39 PM

Considering that you posted this while the press conference was ongoing - there's probably a quicker way to check ;>

Thanks for that  :-?  As press conferences tend to start late, and as I was monitoring all three channels while posting, I thought it was a good question.

Obviously it did not air (except on CNN's Pipeline).
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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #82 on: 04/21/2007 08:20 pm »
msnbc.com has a link to the press conference. i haven't seen if it's the whole thing, yet.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18248153/


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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #83 on: 04/21/2007 08:53 pm »
Fox News carried part of it, though they started late and didn't show Mike Griffin's opening comments, and broke away after two or three questions.

The details provided were difficult to listen to because of the tragic human drama that played out in this incident. I repeat them only because of the concern many folks here have for the NASA Community, and the fact that many of you are part of that Community, but may have been unable to view the press conference.

The main highlights were that the NASA Community is pulling together to offer support and assistance to the family and friends of those involved; that Dave Beverly and Fran Crenshaw showed great courage during the ordeal; JSC Security and Houston Police, Constables Office and FBI all worked well to contain the incident and protect others in the surrounding area; there will be a review of Security procedures to see if improvements can be made, recognizing that JSC has 10K employees, civil service and contractor, going "on-site" every day by car and moving and working among something like 100 buildings on 1400 acres; the motivation appears to be that Bill Phillips had received an email March 16th detailing a series of job performance improvement steps he was required to take; he purchased a gun and twenty rounds of ammunition on March 18th; after having lunch with Beverly and at least another individual on Friday, during which his demeanor was reportedly not particularly unusual, he entered the office where Ms. Crenshaw and Mr. Beverly worked, brandishing the gun, pointed at Mr. Beverly and said "You are the one who is going to get me fired;" Mr. Beverly spoke to him calmly for several minutes, despite the gun being pointed at him, suggesting ways they could deal with his job performance issues, including a transfer; Phillips then shot Mr. Beverly twice and briefly left the room; despite his injuries, Mr. Beverly tried to move his desk to barricade the door to keep Phillips from re-entering, but because of his weakness from his injuries, Phillips was able to get back into the room, where he shot Mr. Beverly two more times, who fell mortally wounded. Phillips then barricaded the door and carefully taped Ms. Crenshaw to a chair using duct tape; she maintained her calm and tried to calm Mr. Phillips, who refused to speak to authorities who called the office to try to establish communications; at some point, Mr. Phillips placed tape over Ms. Crenshaw's mouth, telling her he didn't want her to be able to scream when he shot himself, for fear the police would rush in and try to save his life. (I understand he even removed her ear-rings before placing the tape so she wouldn't be injured when the tape was removed.)

I suspect there will be speculation and discussion about whether external pressures, such as budget cuts, etc., were underlying the situation that led to Phillips' reaction to his unfavorable performance evaluation, as JimO asked about during an appearance on MSNBC, or whether the uncertainties of the shuttle/Ares transition, etc., are creating pressures that contribute to individuals reaching an emotional breaking point. I don't know how to assess those kinds of issues, but I'm sure we'll hear more about them and maybe be able to judge if that's the case, and what kinds of things can be done about that. But I hope we don't lose sight of the deep human tragedy involved here and rush to those kinds of judgments without first ensuring that the people affected by this incident are well cared for.
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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #84 on: 04/22/2007 12:44 am »
Following live coverage of the JSC-shooting NASA presser today on MSNBC-TV,
at approximately 1:45 PM CDT, I made a series of remarks based on information
that I have acquired over the last 24 hours, as follows:
 
 
Question re NASA information just provided.
 
"But all the discussions I've heard so far have missed, I think,
the major themes that I have learned from people who knew
Mr. Beverly, that there were tremendous budget pressures,
cutbacks of his budgets, and he had to 'do more with less' --
that was the phrase that he would use in conversation with
friends and colleagues. And it was depressing him -- because
he was under pressure clearly to do more with less, which is --
the English of which is, get rid of some people...."
 
"The contractor groups are very often just labor plantations for
various kinds of specialty jobs that people need to staff up and
then staff down, then go work for someone else. The contract
workers often have minimal if any benefits, medical or retirement
benefits -- but they are people who want to work in space [program],
they are enthusiastic about space.
 
"And they realize that unlike most of the jobs you get laid off from,
where you can use your skills in some other industry or profession,
in space this is the only game in town.
 

 
Question regarding Beverly's heroism
 
"Absolutely -- what we know about Dave, from people who
knew him, they universally considered him to be an outstanding
human being, and a good engineer -- a top flight engineer
dedicated to his work, to his co-workers, decent. And that
apparently is -- that comes back to what I mentioned earlier,
that something was gnawing at Dave, that I have learned from
people close to him, and that was the need to do more with less.
 
"So that's not been mentioned at the press conference, I wish
I were there because I'd ask it."
 

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #85 on: 04/22/2007 02:36 am »
Quote
JimO - 21/4/2007  7:44 PM


 
"The contractor groups are very often just labor plantations for
various kinds of specialty jobs that people need to staff up and
then staff down, then go work for someone else. The contract
workers often have minimal if any benefits, medical or retirement
benefits -- but they are people who want to work in space [program],
they are enthusiastic about space.
 
"And they realize that unlike most of the jobs you get laid off from,
where you can use your skills in some other industry or profession,
in space this is the only game in town.
 

 

That's a little harsher than reality.  The benefits at Jacobs are in line with the rest of the industry.  We have medical, etc., and a matching 401K  (few companies offer real retirement plans anymore).  The second statement is true, especially in Houston where jobs for electrical engineers (I'm assuming that's what Phillips was, since that's Dave's area of work) are few outside of aerospace.  

It's odd reading this, I wasn't aware of the budget pressures in EV (the avionics group - B44), although I know they've been under a hiring freeze for some time.  On the Jacobs side, at least in my section, we've been hiring.  I've added 5 to my EE staff in the past 6 months, and our section has hired a couple beyond that.  And normally, we tend to stay a little understaffed, just in case something gets canceled so we can absorb the workers without layoffs.

I guess the difference is in funding.  As contractors, we're funded project by project, whereas the sort of work that Dave did is more of an institutional task.  Perhaps they got hit hard by the $500million that was cut from the budget.


I can appreciate the pressure that Phillips was under, with the prospect of being unemployed at his age, and with no family or friends.  And I can appreciate the spot Dave was in - although I thought Dave was a NASA guy - so he wouldn't have direct firing authority over a Jacobs employee, all he could do is terminate his assignment.  Normally, the contractor would then try to place him in another project or position, or in the case of Jacobs - which is worldwide, another division.  And Lockheed is gearing up in Houston for CEV, so it's not like there was no hope for another job.

What I gather from the papers is that it wasn't so much an issue of being laid off as it was an issue of getting a bad review - of being called "stupid" (although reportedly no one ever heard Dave say that).  

Having been an engineer for 30 years, I've certainly known people at work who have died, but this is the first time I've ever known anyone who was killed like this (although, interestingly, not the first time I've seen someone go off the deep end).  It's all rather disturbing.

Tuesdays we normally have our regular teleconference with Dave to discuss parts issues.  Dave was always the go to guy for parts.  It's going to be sad, and strange.







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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #86 on: 04/22/2007 02:56 am »
bhankili, thanks for the critique, i totally believe you and my future comments will reflect your words. In particular, at 8 AM EDT Sunday I'll be on 'Weekend Today' on NBC. Please monitor and keep me honest with feedback such as the last message, or directly to [email protected]...

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #87 on: 04/22/2007 10:14 am »
Re Mr. Oberg's point about workforce displacement resulting from the end of the Shuttle program.

A member of my family was exposed to the personal devastation and literally tragic consequences that followed the hypercontraction of NASA in the early 70s.  These changes happen in all industries - look at Seattle in the late 60s after the Boeing layoffs, for example - but there were a lot of people with hugely specific, non-transferable skills whose life was the space program.

Maybe some good might come out of the tragedy... with the wind-down of the shuttle and consequent layoffs/job changes, NASA and contractors might put some more emphasis into workplace support such as counselling, retraining, etc.

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #88 on: 04/22/2007 10:41 am »
The job displacements would be even worse if Nasa was deep-sixing all the Shuttle elements(?). I wonder what it would be like if the SRBs and ET tooling were dumped in favour of all-EELV derived components? It would be like starting from scratch, in a similar way to discontinuing all the Saturn hardware in the early/mid seventies...
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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #89 on: 04/22/2007 10:45 am »
And I'm talking holistically, overall (Nasa), not just about JSC of course.
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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #90 on: 04/22/2007 11:06 am »
Agreed, Mattblak.  Hopefully the shuttle-derived elements will mitigate the impact on staff.  However, even on the people who do stay there will be major impacts on their jobs and roles, reporting lines... there will be a lot of uncertainty and stress ... a tough time for NASA on the human resources management front.

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #91 on: 04/22/2007 11:13 am »
Agreed. I think the impact will mainly be a result of the stand-down after Shuttle retirement. With too-tight a budget being the double-edged sword of (some) wishing the Shuttle system could be kept longer, and knowing that keeping them around would compound the development time/costs for Ares/Orion, which would then cause it's own problems.

Truly a 'horns of a dilemma' or a King Solomon's dilemma concept.
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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #92 on: 04/22/2007 12:38 pm »
I am going to be petty here and it goes way back to when I was in the Air Force.   Many articles state that Phillips worked for NASA.  Only government employees work for NASA.  Phillips was employed by and worked for Jacobs.  Jacobs was a contractor for NASA.  If anyone "worked" for NASA, it is Jacobs.  

It is just a supplier for a grocery store, they don't work for the grocery store but they support it

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #93 on: 04/22/2007 01:17 pm »
Quote
Jim - 21/4/2007  1:38 PM

I am going to be petty here and it goes way back to when I was in the Air Force.   Many articles state that Phillips worked for NASA.  Only government employees work for NASA.  Phillips was employed by and worked for Jacobs.  Jacobs was a contractor for NASA.  If anyone "worked" for NASA, it is Jacobs.  

It is just a supplier for a grocery store, they don't work for the grocery store but they support it

Hopefully contractor companies will support their employees during the coming transition as much (hopefully) as NASA will support the civil servants.

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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #94 on: 04/23/2007 12:10 am »
Quote
MATTBLAK - 22/4/2007  6:41 AM
The job displacements would be even worse if Nasa was deep-sixing all the Shuttle elements(?). I wonder what it would be like if the SRBs and ET tooling were dumped in favour of all-EELV derived components? It would be like starting from scratch, in a similar way to discontinuing all the Saturn hardware in the early/mid seventies...
OK, I'll take a swipe at the strawman.

There are only a few dozen thousand space workers ANYWHERE in the country.  As long as there is SOMETHING to do, they will have jobs.  If we were to make the fiscally correct choice to switch to EELV-derived, workers will still be needed albeit cross-trained to know a different system (much as is in the works for 600+ civil servant engineers at KSC).  Better yet, we would get more projects with the money saved since EELV technology is not as labor intensive (=expensive) as STS.  Whatever the case, as Griffin has cogently pointed out many times, the NASA budget is constant in real dollars; therefore, the total number of people employed by NASA and its contractors is constant too.
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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #95 on: 04/23/2007 06:04 am »
Don't take my comments as an advocacy of Shuttle-derived over EELV, I agree that EELV-derived might have been fiscally superior in the end. Though my personal favorite would be DIRECT. However, many Shuttle 'greybeards' would go away, with the choice of EELV-derived, though mostly the SRB & E.T. people.

I suspect that Orbiter workers would transition better to Orion than the others, but I can't see the flight rate ever being as high as peak Shuttle years, so they wouldn't need all of them? And with the smaller, simpler Orion, surely there will be some job losses? And surely if SRB and E.T. systems dissappeared, you'd lose more than a few??! ;)

But I digress...
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Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #96 on: 04/23/2007 12:00 pm »
Can we have just one thread on this site that doesn't devolve into this tired old argument?  People have died here.

Chris - I vote we freeze this thread, and try to move on.

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RE: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #97 on: 04/23/2007 01:27 pm »
Sat 4/21/2007 8:00 PM


Dear Friends and Colleagues,

It is with a heavy heart that I write this message to you this afternoon. Friday afternoon we lost a family member and a teammate, Dave Beverly and Bill Phillips. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends. Over the next several weeks, we will all go through a sweeping range of emotions in dealing with this tragedy. The Center is responding with overwhelming support to the Engineering family and has offered crisis management and counseling services. In addition, we as a directorate are organizing to provide community assistance to Linda Beverly and Fran Crenshaw. I would encourage each of you who have been touched by this event to seek out this support and assistance. It will take time to heal the sorrow we are feeling and I feel through taking advantage of these services or giving to those in need will go a long way towards bringing us closer together.

JSC Engineering and contractor management met this morning to discuss our plans for next week as a result of the tragic events.   Mike Griffin and Mike Coats were in attendance as well as the Directors of Center Operations, Space Life Sciences, and Human Resources.    The abundance of support and caring that we are receiving from the JSC and NASA family is outstanding and they are willing to help us with anything necessary to help all of us cope and work through this tragedy.    

From our planning meeting this morning, there are several things that I wanted to share with you in terms of Center status, work schedules and support services that will be available to us.  

Center Status and Operations

All regular access gates at JSC will be open on Monday, April 23.  Flags will be flown at half staff all week.    

Engineering Directorate Operations

Our immediate focus is on our employees’ health, emotional, and physical well-being.  Therefore, at a minimum, all normally scheduled meetings on Monday for the Engineering Directorate are cancelled.  

Employee Outreach and Discussions

Employees housed in Building 44 will receive specific instructions through both email and their direct supervisors and managers regarding employee outreach and Building 44 status.

At 9:30 Monday morning in the Teague Auditorium, Mike Coats will address any other interested employees (civil service or contractor).  Employees can refer to JSC Today on Monday morning to verify the start time for the briefing in the event of additional schedule changes.  Following that session, Employee Assistance personnel will also be available to assist with debriefings and discussions.

Throughout the day on Monday, discussions between employees, managers, and human resources representatives will be conducted throughout the Engineering Directorate in your normal work locations.  Follow-on discussions with the employee assistance personnel will also be made available.      

Family Support

Dianne Milner and Raquel Madrigal in the EA Directorate Office will be coordinating any support, meals, donations, or other assistance that employees wish to offer to the Beverly family.   Please contact them if you would like to provide any assistance to the Beverly family or to Fran Crenshaw.   They can be reached at extension xxxxx (Dianne) and xxxxx (Raquel).  They will also be providing information relative to memorial and funeral services for Dave Beverly as those details become available.

Pat Pilola and Greg Blackburn have been appointed as the Engineering Directorate casualty assistance officers to assist the Beverly family.

Diane Chambers and Susan Widmer from MRI are providing assistance for Fran Crenshaw.  

Requests for Information

Gail Chapline in the EA Directorate Office will be coordinating any requests for information relating to lessons learned activities, incident investigation and any other review-type of activities being conducted by JSC, NASA or external entities.  If you receive requests to provide any information, please direct those requests to Gail at extension xxxxx.

If you receive any phone calls or contact by the media, refer them to the Public Affairs Office in Bldg 2, extension xxxxx.  

We are especially proud of the JSC Engineering Directorate family during this difficult time.  Our family has been hurt and we will need to lean on each other in the coming days, weeks, and months as we all deal with this tragedy in our own way.  What makes NASA, JSC, and the Engineering Directorate such a special place to work is the people.  As a family, we share our triumphs and, unfortunately, our tragedies.

God Bless,

Steve

Director, Engineering
NASA Johnson Space Center


Offline Chris Bergin

Re: Johnson Space Center Evacuated
« Reply #98 on: 04/23/2007 04:19 pm »
Quote
bhankiii - 23/4/2007  1:00 PM

Can we have just one thread on this site that doesn't devolve into this tired old argument?  People have died here.

Chris - I vote we freeze this thread, and try to move on.

Agreed.
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