Francisco Joel Reyes, a 31-year-old Hispanic male, was tragically killed on August 20, 2018, in a workplace shooting at the Ben E. Keith Foods distribution center in Missouri City, Texas. Reyes, who served as the building's overnight supervisor, was shot multiple times by Kristine Peralez, a fellow employee who was off-duty at the time. Peralez also wounded another employee, Fedencio Janas, before she was killed during a confrontation with police outside the building.
The incident began
when Peralez entered the warehouse and opened fire, killing Reyes and wounding Janas. Reyes was known as a dedicated worker who had received the Employee of the Year award multiple times. He left behind a wife, Michele Peña, and three young children. The family has since filed a $25 million lawsuit against Ben E. Keith, alleging that the company failed to provide adequate security despite knowing about potential workplace violence.
The investigation revealed that Peralez had posted a video on Facebook before the shooting, but the motive behind her actions remains unclear. Police have not found any evidence to suggest that Peralez had made specific threats against her coworkers. The family's lawsuit claims that the company had hired security guards a month before the shooting but did not have anyone on duty on the morning of the incident.
The tragic loss of Francisco Reyes has left a lasting impact on his family and coworkers, who continue to seek justice and accountability from his employer. The case highlights the importance of workplace safety and the need for companies to take proactive measures to protect their employees.
