Senator Cortese Statement on Pleasanton Home Depot Killing

Senator Dave Cortese issued the following statement about Tuesday’s shooting death of a 26-year-old employee who attempted to stop an active robbery at a Home Depot in Pleasanton:

“The killing of Blake Mohs was horrific and my heart goes out to all his family, friends, coworkers and community,” said Senator Cortese (D-San Jose). “As lawmakers, we can’t send condolences and then do nothing else. Let’s get to work now on putting new safeguards in place to train and prepare workers for outbreaks of workplace violence. It’s our duty to protect Californians and prevent more senseless tragedy.”

BACKGROUND: Senator Cortese is the author of SB 553, which would establish new workplace violence prevention standards targeting these exact type of attacks.

Fatal workplace shootings are too common. Last year in SD 15, a young Safeway worker was shot and killed after confronting suspects engaged in robbery. The year before that in the District, a transit worker with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority killed nine people in a San Jose rail yard, marking the deadliest mass shooting in the Bay Area.

SB 553 creates articulated workplace violence prevention plans, data collection on workplace violence incidents, effective training, and expanded employee protections.