WASHINGTON — In an effort to tackle workplace violence, the Secret Service is expanding its role beyond its traditional protective duties for presidents and dignitaries. The agency is applying its intelligence-gathering and research capabilities through the National Threat Assessment Center to investigate and prevent incidents of violence in work environments.
A recent report from the center analyzed 50 distinct cases of workplace violence over the past decade, focusing on the motivations, tactics, and warning signs associated with these events. The analysis includes the tragic incident at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland in 2018, where a gunman killed five employees during a shooting. Overall, these examined cases resulted in 119 fatalities and 128 injuries. The initiative stemmed from a broader examination of mass attacks, revealing that businesses were often the primary target.
“Which is why we launched this initiative,” stated Lina Alathari, the leader of the threat assessment center. “To look at how we can prevent targeted workplace violence. What is the thinking, behavior, and circumstances of workplace attackers?”
This assessment center was originally established to dissect various types of attacks, including school shootings and mass violence, and apply those insights to new contexts like workplace safety.
The forthcoming report aims to serve as a guide for businesses, human resource professionals, law enforcement, and mental health practitioners to help mitigate risks of violence in the workplace. Alathari emphasized that warning signs usually precede attacks, indicating that while the profiles of attackers are varied, they often share common behavioral patterns.
“Grievances are always the No. 1 motive that might sort of trigger someone to carry out an attack,” Alathari explained. The findings indicate that retail and service industries are particularly vulnerable due to public accessibility, followed by manufacturing and healthcare sectors.
In many instances, the connection between the attackers and their targets is deeply personal; for example, 16 of the individuals who perpetrated violence were current employees of the establishments they attacked. Others were linked through personal relationships, either as current partners or estranged spouses. The report also revealed that more than 40% of the suspects had histories of domestic violence, although not all were charged with related crimes.
Given the high prevalence of violence against intimate partners, the study advocates for workplaces to recognize and respond to signs of distress among employees. “That includes empowering those who may be experiencing stalking, harassment, or threats from romantic partners or relatives to feel connected enough to come forward and ask for help,” Alathari said.
While most attackers used firearms, some incidents involved knives, explosives, or vehicles, with nearly 25% of the cases featuring multiple types of weapons. The outcomes varied widely: more than 75% of the assailants ceased their actions voluntarily and were apprehended, while close to half took their own lives. In 14% of the incidents, law enforcement intervention led to the suspect’s death.
During one analyzed incident, a fired employee maintained active access to company premises due to insufficient revocation of their security credentials, highlighting critical gaps in prevention measures. Alathari pointed to several key warning signs that could indicate potential violence, including behavioral changes, increased absenteeism, talks of weapons, or any expressed threats towards coworkers.
In the past year, the Secret Service has conducted over 400 training sessions on preventing mass violence, engaging approximately 50,000 participants nationwide. “There are always opportunities for intervention, and what I can tell you is that the cost of inaction can be deadly,” Alathari warned.
