Quarry president issues statement on Wednesday's shootings
Kari Saragusa, president of Lehigh Hanson’s West Region, issued a statement Thursday regarding Wednesday’s shootings at the company’s Cupertino quarry.
The quarry and cement plant was the scene of a violent rampage early Wednesday morning by Shareef Allman, a 48-year-old Lehigh Hanson employee who allegedly shot and killed three people and injured six more during an early morning safety meeting. He then fled to Sunnyvale where he shot a seventh victim in the arm outside the Hewlett-Packard facility on Homestead Road during a botched carjacking attempt.
Shareef Allman
“[On Wednesday] our company and our employees suffered a great tragedy, one unparalleled in the 70-year history of this facility. Our community is still very much in a state of shock. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victims and their families,” Saragusa said.
The three employees killed in the shooting spree have been identified by the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office as John Robert Vallejos, 51, and Mark Munoz, 59, both of San Jose, as well as Manuel Guadalupe Pinon, 48, of Newman, California.
“Our first priority right now is taking care of our people,” Saragusa’s statement read. “We are working closely with grief counselors and making sure our employees are prepared to deal with this terrible day. We are proud of our workforce – many have worked here for decades and even generations – nothing is more important than their well-being, and the well-being of the shooting victim of Sunnyvale who was also assaulted. We wish all of you a full and speedy recovery.”
Saragusa also thanked the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department, the City of Cupertino and community members for their support and efforts following the shooting and ensuing manhunt for Allman.
“Our combined swift actions, professionalism and sustained support are a source of strength,” she said.
Lehigh Hanson is based in Irving, Texas and is part of the Heidelberg Cement Group, one of the largest building materials manufacturers worldwide.
