VTA Worker Who Witnessed Mass Capturing Dies By Obvious Suicide – CBS San Francisco
SAN JOSE (BCN) – A member of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority who witnessed the San Jose mass shootings at a city train station in May allegedly died in suicide, authorities confirmed Tuesday.
Henry Gonzales, who worked as a painter and coachbuilder at the VTA’s Guadalupe Light Rail Yard for 10 years, was found dead in his home at 7:00 a.m. on Monday.
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There is no suspected foul play and his death is being investigated as a suicide by the San Jose police.
“It is heartbreaking to acknowledge that Henry Gonzales tragically committed suicide when he was traumatized by the shooting on April 26th.
Gonzales’s death was “a deep shock to all of us at VTA,” the statement said.
The sad news came the same day the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a VTA employee in San Jose after witnesses said the man threatened the transit agency with gun violence for the second time in two weeks.
The father of four was also a board member of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265.
ATU President John Costa said Gonzales’s death was a devastating reminder that mental health must be a priority in all workplaces, particularly at VTA after nine employees were tragically killed.
The VTA said it reached out to its co-workers and families on a daily basis for multiple counseling and trauma resources and reminders to seek help or to rely on other colleagues and friends in times of need.
“Those who feel they cannot return are offered options that do not include a return to the location of the shooting,” the VTA said. “The returners receive an additional mandatory trauma recovery consultation.”
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However, Costa said VTA’s response to the shooting was “shameful” and VTA had “taken no action to combat the grief, mental health and safety of its employees who were under unfathomable, extreme stress after that massive shooting.” stood. ”
He said staff should have access to the full range of mental health services, including inpatient care.
“We vow to continue to do what the VTA failed to do in memory of Brother Gonzales and our nine brothers killed that day,” said Costa.
The VTA denied the allegations, saying the health and well-being of the agency’s staff was a priority and “any allegation that it is less is completely unfounded”.
“We ask our union partners to respect what we have achieved together, difficult as each step has been, and that we continue to focus on healing rather than looking for opportunities to blame,” VTA officials said.
The Santa Clara County coroner has not yet made the cause of death public.
Those in need of assistance are encouraged to call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at (800) 273-8255.
ATU also provides advice and support services to VTA employees and their families at the ATU Local 265 Union Hall at 1590 La Pradera Drive in Campbell from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Friday. Employees and family members seeking help do not need to be an ATU member to receive services.
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