Tragedy struck in Addison, Alabama after a murder-suicide took place at Anders Body Shop. The family owned business was subject to a surprising turn-of-events by one of their own when one of the brothers entered the shop with a .22 caliber rifle, opening fire on his family. According to the Cullman Times, Mark Anders entered the shop Monday afternoon, killing his brother Hoyt Anders and wounding Hoyt's son, Kerry. Mark then eventually turned the weapon on himself, taking his own life. Kerry Anders managed to escape despite 3 gunshot wounds and called 911, where he was later treated at a nearby hospital.

In an incident last month, David Dee Smith of Smith's Auto Body in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, fought off a would be intruder at night. After responding to a silent alarm, Smith went to his shop and saw a man wandering with a flashlight. In attempting to confront the man, later identified as Anthony Lutes, Smith was charged at and was hit repeatedly. In an act of self-defense, Smith used a nearby log to strike Lutes to prevent him from doing any further damage. According to the Sequoyah Times, Lutes was later arrested and charged with second degree burglary.

While these two incidents are completely separate with two different outcomes, it begs questions of shop safety, namely, how should shop owners defend their property and protect their employees when immediately threatened? There are numerous stories like this that don't make the news, so this is not a new phenomena. What are some measures you take to maintain the safety of your shop and your employees? How do you protect your property when the shop is closed at night? Do you invest in a security system?  Do you have a properly licensed fire-arm on the premises?   The first thing we advise is that the police be called as soon possible, but what are some preventative steps your shop takes in hopes to avoid such situations?

We invite all to share their suggestions to help maximize the safety of auto body owners and technicians.