SLC police talk workplace violence after double-fatal shooting

SALT LAKE CITY — Workplace violence turned fatal at a Salt Lake City business over the weekend, leaving two people dead.

The Salt Lake City Police Department identified the shooting victim as Hay Ly, 61. The shooter was identified as Miller Bin, 56, an employee of the business.

The shooting occurred Sunday at Varex Imaging, 1678 S. Pioneer Road ( approximately 2700 West) around 2:30 p.m.

After the initial shooting, Bin shot and killed himself in a parking lot on the company’s property, police say.

In the aftermath, the CEO decided to keep the business open.

“We felt that it was critical that the business stay open to allow employees to come together, avoid isolation, lean on one another as a family,” a spokesman said.

“And give each other a chance to express themselves and support each other through this grieving and recovery process,” said company CEO Sunny Sanyal. 

Acts of violence and other injuries are the third-leading cause of fatal occupational injuries in the United States, reports OSHA.

Of the 5,333 fatal workplace injuries that occurred in the United States in 2019, 761 were cases of intentional injury (14%) by another person, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI).

SLC Police on workplace violence

Brent Weisburg, communications director for the Salt Lake City Police Department, said police are still learning about this homicide-suicide case.

“Based on the preliminary information, we do believe that both of the individuals were employees. We don’t know how closely they worked together. Our detectives are still in the process of trying to identify a motive,” Weisburg said.

The advice for adults who are harassed, intimidated, or bullied in the workplace is familiar. It’s the same advice given to young people experiencing bullying in school — say something to someone.

“But then also reach out to law enforcement because while there may not be a criminal nexus immediately, over time if we can show a pattern, it may develop into a stalking or harassment case,” Weisburg said.

The same is true if you are at your workplace, and here something alarming.

“Even if you only think you hear gunshots, report it to a supervisor or police because seconds matter in situations of violence,” Weisburg said.

“We want to make sure that our officers are getting there as quickly as possible to stop any potential threat and to make sure that life-saving aid can be given immediately,” Weisburg said.

Anyone with information about this investigation should call 801-799-3000 and reference case 24-48513.

Related:

• SLCPD identify two killed in workplace shooting
• Workplace shooting prevention should be priority, former FBI agent says

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