In a tragic incident on November 2, 1999, a Xerox service technician, anxious about changes in his workplace, opened fire at his office in Hawaii, resulting in the deaths of seven colleagues.
Byran Koji Uyesugi had been employed as a technician with Xerox since 1984. Over the years, he had become familiar and comfortable with a particular photocopier model, which he expertly maintained.
However, the company decided to update its equipment, planning to replace the older photocopier with a more advanced model. This shift stirred anxiety in Uyesugi, who was apprehensive about his ability to handle the new, more sophisticated machine.
His reluctance to adapt was met with company insistence. Uyesugi was informed the day before the incident that his training on the new photocopier would commence the following day, adding to his stress and apprehension.
Reflecting on his actions, Uyesugi reportedly told a doctor, “I decided to give them a reason to fire me,” highlighting the depth of his distress over the impending changes at work.
“I decided to give them a reason to fire me,” Uyesugi later told a doctor.
Enraged, Uyesugi arrived at work the next day armed with a 9mm pistol.
He greeted some co-workers as usual, then began opening fire.
He fired 28 shots, 25 of which struck a person. One of his targets managed to escape unharmed.
But one co-worker in the office he intentionally spared, left alone as the men around them died.
Uyesugi then walked out of the building in a “very calm and collected” manner.
He waved goodbye to an oblivious colleague before getting in his van and driving off.
After a five-hour standoff with police from his van, he surrendered.
Xerox was criticised for keeping Uyesugi on the job despite several warning signs.
He had many several death threats against other staff in the years previous.
He had also openly spoken of carrying out a mass shooting at work, including to a psychiatrist.
Uyesugi’s defence team made an insanity plea at his murder trial.
But the jury deliberated for 90 minutes before finding him guilty of seven counts of murder and one of attempted murder.
The cold, calculated and selective way he carried out the shooting convinced the jury of his sanity.
