Richard Farley

Mass Murderer

Richard Wade Farley and the 1988 ESL Massacre

Background

Richard Wade Farley was a former computer technician whose prolonged stalking of a female co-worker culminated in one of the most notorious workplace mass murders of the 1980s. On February 16, 1988, Farley entered an ESL Incorporated office building in Sunnyvale, California, carrying several firearms and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition. He killed seven employees and wounded others during an attack that developed into a lengthy armed standoff with police. Farley was born on July 25, 1948, at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. His father served in the United States Air Force, and the family moved frequently before settling in Petaluma, California. Farley graduated from high school, attended junior college and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1967. During approximately ten years of military service, he worked as a cryptologic maintenance technician responsible for classified electronic equipment. After leaving the Navy in October 1977, Farley began working for Electromagnetic Systems Laboratory, commonly known as ESL. The company was a defense contractor with offices in Sunnyvale. Farley initially worked in California and later spent several years as a field service engineer in Australia. He returned to the Sunnyvale facility in 1984.

Stalking of Laura Black

During 1984, Farley met Laura Black, a younger co-worker at ESL. He quickly developed an intense and unwanted fixation on her. Although Black repeatedly declined his requests for dates and made it clear that she did not want a romantic relationship, Farley continued pursuing her. His conduct included repeated telephone calls, letters, gifts and uninvited appearances at places Black visited. He attended her aerobics classes, gathered information about her schedule and secretly learned details about her home, relatives and personal life. Farley later acknowledged that he obtained copies of keys to Black's office, desk and residence. He also altered or arranged photographs to create the false appearance that the two had a personal relationship. Black reported the harassment to ESL. Company officials attempted to stop Farley's conduct and required him to undergo counseling. His behavior nevertheless continued, and he reacted angrily when supervisors intervened. Farley also made threatening statements concerning employees whom he believed were interfering with his pursuit of Black. ESL terminated Farley's employment in May 1986. The dismissal did not end the stalking. He continued contacting and following Black while working for another technology company, Covalent Systems Corporation. His conduct became increasingly intrusive and frightening, causing Black to alter her routine and take additional security precautions.

The Restraining Order

On February 2, 1988, Black obtained a temporary restraining order directing Farley to stay away from her. A court hearing concerning a longer injunction was scheduled for February 17. Evidence later presented at Farley's trial showed that, during the approximately two weeks between the issuance of the temporary order and the scheduled hearing, Farley purchased a semiautomatic shotgun, obtained substantial quantities of ammunition, practiced at shooting ranges and began putting his personal affairs in order. On February 15, Farley visited a public shooting range in Santa Clara County and attempted to obtain ammunition for one of his rifles. He also rented a motor home. On the morning of February 16, he went to his employer's accounting department seeking his paycheck earlier than usual. A company employee testified that Farley said he needed the money to buy a gun. ...

Confirmed Victims: (7)

Ronald Doney 36 yr old Male

Sunnyvale ESL shooting - Wikipedia