Why kill yourself over a job?
@LeaPea2417 (36451)
Toccoa, Georgia
June 27, 2018 3:53pm CST
My husband works at Lowes Home Improvement and heard about this story through his co workers. An Anniston Alabama Human Resources Manager shot himself to death in his barricaded store office.
It said he was going to be terminated from the position. He had walked into the store with a gun, gone into his office and secured it. Police tried to talk to him through the door and encourage him to give up his gun. But, they were not successful. He shot himself in the head. He leaves behind a wife and kids. The store was closed for the day due to the grim story.
What I want to know is why would a person kill themselves over a job that they were going to lose? The job is not as important as the guy's life and family.
There was probably more to his personal issues that had depressed him.
I feel awful for the wife and kids.
The employee, named Steven Spoon, apparently was due to lose his job today.
22 people like this
24 responses
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
28 Jun 18
People has a lot of reasons for killing themselves and there's always more to the story than what we know. So I don't think it's not just about losing his job, it's one of those but couldn't be all.
3 people like this
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
27 Jun 18
I have seen such things happening in India. High ranked Police Officers, Natinal Administrative Servants and Military people have done such pathetic things in the past! I can't say if they have done because of work pressure or because of their personnel matters, but all I can say is that is a cowardly and irresponsible act by them! Thanks!
2 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (36451)
• Toccoa, Georgia
28 Jun 18
I agree it is cowardly and irresponsible for those who do that and leave grieving family members behind.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
27 Jun 18
I think there must have been more to the story than what we know. Perhaps the loss of his job was just the straw that broke the camels back.
'
I've quit jobs because they were draining and I couldn't stand it any longer.
2 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (36451)
• Toccoa, Georgia
28 Jun 18
Yes, losing the job probably was what set it off.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
28 Jun 18
@LeaPea2417 So sad this happened. I hope his family will be okay. I know that gofundme accounts are "all the rage" now and many use them after the passing of a loved one. Perhaps someone started a gofundme for the survivors so that they atleast didn't have to worry financially.
@Marilynda1225 (79769)
• United States
27 Jun 18
That really is so very sad. His family must be devastated
2 people like this
@betlynfrnds (4066)
• United States
28 Jun 18
Life is difficult no matter who you are and what your circumstances may be. There are people who can stay focused or re-focus when bumps in the road occur.
Then there are those who see no way out.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (36451)
• Toccoa, Georgia
28 Jun 18
Yes, it is sad for those who see no way out.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47082)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
28 Jun 18
@LeaPea2417 That's hard. I can't imagine how they must feel, especially if they were there.
@LeaPea2417 (36451)
• Toccoa, Georgia
28 Jun 18
I think I read they were at the store when the cops were trying to negotiate with him.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
28 Jun 18
There had to have been more going on there than just job loss.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (36451)
• Toccoa, Georgia
28 Jun 18
Yes, maybe he had broken the law somehow.
1 person likes this
@JustBhem (70555)
• Davao, Philippines
28 Jun 18
@LeaPea2417
And it would be shameful if he gets caught. Maybe that was his reason. But sad for him.
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
27 Jun 18
Hi Anne. I am sorry for the family that was left behind. I guess he cannot handle the situation well and his ego got hurt. So sad this happened to him and nobody deserves to die like that.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (85328)
• Bangalore, India
28 Jun 18
There is nothing above life. He might have pressure, personal or at work but such act is cowardly and not justified. However some people suffer from psychological issue and are not in their senses. I feel bad for the grieving family that they leave behind.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (85328)
• Bangalore, India
29 Jun 18
@LeaPea2417 They become victims of none of their mistake
@AmbiePam (85533)
• United States
27 Jun 18
It's like you said: he probably had more personal matters. And that's what I think too. There seem to always be something else in the mix. People lose their jobs all the time, but most don't kill themselves over it. I am very grateful he didn't take it out on anyone else. How many times have we heard of those laid off coming into work and shooting up the place?
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (36451)
• Toccoa, Georgia
28 Jun 18
I am grateful too he didn't take it out on anyone else.
1 person likes this
@popciclecold (35111)
• United States
28 Jun 18
That is such a sad story. Maybe he just couldn't see life without that job. People have different views about the end.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23676)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
28 Jun 18
To the guy his job defined.
When I ran a Weight Watchers operation after losing 100+ I mentioned to a friend of mine that WW was my life 24/7 and she immediately said and what if there wasn't a WW when you wake up tomorrow. It was something that really made me think anytime I became so involved with something that it became my whole life! As it was a very few weeks later my partner and I split up and that ended my involvement with WW but I had those few weeks to relook at where I was.
I can understand where that guy was coming from--his family came after his job, for whatever reason.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
28 Jun 18
This happened in my hometown, it is very sad because I had seen him in the store all the time.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (36451)
• Toccoa, Georgia
28 Jun 18
Oh goodness, I knew you lived in Alabama but didn't think it happened in your hometown because it is a big State with many cities and towns. It is real sad to hear a story like this and know of the person, whether you know them well or not.
@Starmaiden (9311)
• Canada
28 Jun 18
That is a tragic story. Fear makes people irrational. Nothing initiates fear more than the loss or potential loss of security. The guy could have been up to his eyebrows in debt or any other insecurity issue. Losing his job was the final snap.
1 person likes this
@TishaMears (1026)
• United States
28 Jun 18
Wow! This story is very sad. I was just complaining that I wouldn't kill myself physically and mentally for a job with little pay. I'd rather struggle w/ budgeting and such to survive and try to find something better to be more content in my life. It's a wonder to discover what and why people will kill themselves
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (36451)
• Toccoa, Georgia
28 Jun 18
That is what I thought about myself.
1 person likes this
