As we enjoy time with family, friends and co-workers this holiday season, let’s take time to remember our 14 fellow Brothers and Sisters in San Bernardino County whose lives were tragically cut short by an active shooter at their worksite – the Inland Regional Center – just over three years ago. To date, it is the tenth deadliest mass shooting in American history, with 14 men and women killed and another 22 people injured.
The deceased were:
- Robert Adams, 40, Yucaipa, Environmental Health Specialist II, SEIU 721
- Bennetta Bet-Badal, 46, Rialto, Environmental Health Specialist II, SEIU 721
- Harry “Hal” Bowman, 46, Upland, Statistical Analyst
- Sierra S. Clayborn, 27, Moreno Valley, Environmental Health Specialist I, SEIU 721
- Juan Espinoza, 50, Highland, Environmental Health Specialist II, SEIU 721
- Isaac Amanios Gebreslassie, 60, Fontana, Environmental Health Specialist II, SEIU 721
- Aurora Godoy, 26, San Jacinto, Office Assistant
- Shannon Johnson, 45, Los Angeles, Environmental Health Specialist II, SEIU 721
- Daniel Larry Kaufman, 42, Rialto, Coffee Shop Manager in the IRC
- Damien L. Meins, 58, Riverside, Environmental Health Specialist II
- Tin T. Nguyen, 31, Santa Ana, Environmental Health Specialist II, SEIU 721
- Nicholas Thalasinos, 52, Colton, Environmental Health Specialist II, SEIU 721
- Yvette A. Velasco, 27, Fontana, Environmental Health Specialist I, SEIU 721
- Michael R. Wezel, 37, Lake Arrowhead, Supervising Environmental Health Specialist, SEIU 721
The injured included:
- Yong Aday, Environmental Health Specialist II, SEIU 721
- Patrick Baccari, 55, Environmental Health Specialist II, SEIU 721
- Jessica Duron, Environmental Health Specialist Trainee, SEIU 721
- Amanda Gaspard, 31, Environmental Health Specialist I, SEIU 721
- Nicholas Koahou, San Bernardino Police Officer
- Anies Kondoker, 42, Environmental Health Specialist II, SEIU 721
- Marilyn Krichbaum, Environmental Health Specialist II, SEIU 721
- Hanan Megalla, Environmental Health Specialist II, SEIU 721
- Kevin Ortiz, 42, Environmental Health Inspector
- Denise Nicole Peraza, 27, Environmental Health Specialist I, SEIU 721
- John Ramos, 57, Environmental Health Specialist II, SEIU 721
- Jon Reid, Environmental Health Specialist III, SEIU 721
- Casey Salazar, Environmental Health Specialist I, SEIU 721
- Michelle M. Saltis, Environmental Health Specialist Trn, SEIU 721
- Jennifer Stevens, Environmental Health Technician
- Julie Y. Swann-Paez, 50, Environmental Health Specialist I, SEIU 721
- Tracie Thompson, Environmental Health Customer Service Supervisor
- Nicole Walker, Environmental Health Specialist II, SEIU 721
In the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attack, SEIU 721 members held candlelight vigils to memorialize the victims.
In attendance were SEIU 721 President Bob Schoonover and Mary Kay Henry, President of SEIU International.
“Each of our members who has dedicated their lives to public service will hold our families closer tonight,” Schoonover said. “While our sense of safety in the workplace has been rocked, our commitment to serving the California public is unwavering.”
“Our hearts are broken from this tragedy,” Henry said. “We will unite to demand that our nation does everything possible to ensure that no more families have to feel this pain, sadness and loss ever again.”
In the weeks after the tragedy, SEIU 721 disseminated gas cards and grocery cards – and helped with childcare expenses – to assist survivors with living expenses for the surviving victims. SEIU members across the nation raised more than $200,000 for all victims of the attack, helping cover the cost of medical expenses, mortgage payments, car payments and more.
During the hustle and bustle of the season, may we never forget those families affected by this senseless violence.
