Column One: 'I wasn't trying to be a hero, but I think I could have stopped him'

The Times' Hector Becerra revisited the scene of a workplace double homicide for today's Column One:

On the surface at least, Bohnhoff Lumber Co. in Vernon is returning to normal. The floral memorials are gone. The letters and condolence cards have stopped pouring in. The awkward phone calls from customers asking for people no longer there have ceased.

But as Charlie Bohnhoff, 79, walks into the office, he passes a reminder: A picture of a middle-aged man, smiling genially, his hands locked behind his head as he leans back in a chair.

Charles "Alan" Bohnhoff. October 29, 1953-May 18, 2009, the inscription reads.

On May 18, gunshots echoed, people ran and bodies fell at the lumber company that Bohnhoff's grandfather, C.W. Bohnhoff, a German immigrant, founded in 1910. The gunman killed the yard's foreman, Marine veteran Jaime Sanchez, 31, and Bohnhoff's son Alan, 55.

The alleged assailant, Saul Moreno, was an employee who seemed to love Charlie Bohnhoff like a father and who, by all accounts, Bohnhoff had treated like a member of the family. Moreno, 51, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

Read more of Becerra's story: Double slaying continues to haunt a Vernon lumberyard

Photo: Charlie Bohnhoff wonders what he could have done to stop the slayings of his son and a co-worker at the family's lumberyard. At left is his granddaughter Christa, who lost her father. Credit: Christina House/For The Times

Comments

[VICKY]

Workplace violence is a very serious problem which tends to be ignored until it happens again and again and again! When are employers going to start respecting their employees? Whe are they going to take employees' complaints serious. A lot of violence at the workplace, school, etc. can be avoided if those in higher positions didn't act as if they were above the worker. Also, the Bosses are going to have to hold those responsible for an unhappy work enviroment accountable for their arrogancy. It's bad for your health and productivity. And guess what's really bad about all of this? The person who has caused the hostily rarely is the one hurt, and the ones that do get hurt usually are clueless about what has gone on to cause such a violent reaction from an employee. Suggestions to Employers: Once a week, have 2 Hour Impact (Feeling)Sessions so employees can express good and bad feelings.

[Jet]

Vicky,
You have got to be kidding right? Two hours each week to hear some body who has mental problems complain? Is this your idea of a solution? What if as a co-worker you are the sourse of the problem? What if you are the one that is causing such negativity would you be ready to hear it every week for two hours? Are you ready to hear what a pain the you are? These meetings sound good on paper but in reality the person that is causing the bad work situation(s) is the same person who cannot and will not hear what is being said. Also did you and I read the same story? I read where the "boses" took care of thier employees. They were their for them. Seemed to me that they went out of their way for the employees. Kindness does not equal happiness to someone determined to kill and cause damage for whatever reason. Question for you: when are employees going to respect thier employees? When are employees going to get an education, get training to have options?