Kenneth Tornes

Mass Murderer

Kenneth Tornes and the 1996 Jackson Fire Department Murders

Overview

Kenneth Tornes was a Jackson, Mississippi, firefighter who carried out a deadly, targeted shooting rampage on April 24, 1996. During a period of only a few hours, Tornes killed his estranged wife at her home and then traveled to the Jackson Fire Department headquarters, where he murdered four supervisory firefighters and wounded two other employees. He later exchanged gunfire with police, injuring an officer before being seriously wounded and taken into custody. The murders were not random. Investigators and surviving witnesses concluded that Tornes deliberately sought out members of the fire department whom he blamed for disciplinary actions and problems in his career. He moved through the headquarters carrying multiple firearms, passed employees he apparently did not intend to kill and entered offices occupied by supervisors. The attack became one of the deadliest acts of workplace violence in Mississippi history.

Background and Employment Problems

Kenneth Tornes was born on March 8, 1964, and grew up in Jackson. He became a firefighter with the Jackson Fire Department and was generally considered physically capable and knowledgeable about his work. However, coworkers also described him as temperamental, angry and increasingly resentful toward the department's leadership. In the period preceding the murders, Tornes had received several disciplinary reprimands. He reportedly believed that the actions taken against him were unfair and that certain supervisors were intentionally attempting to damage his career. His anger had been building for years, and some firefighters later recalled that he repeatedly complained about department officials and made disturbing statements about retaliating against them. Firefighters who worked with Tornes said that his behavior had become especially troubling shortly before the attack. According to accounts given after the murders, Tornes had spoken about the possibility of someone attacking the fire department. Some coworkers regarded him as unpredictable and potentially dangerous, although no one knew precisely when or how he might act.

The Murder of Glenda Tornes

Early on April 24, 1996, Tornes went to the Jackson residence of his estranged wife, 42-year-old Glenda Tornes. Their marriage had deteriorated, and the couple had reportedly experienced domestic conflict before the murders. Police had previously been called regarding a domestic disturbance involving the couple, although the earlier incident had not resulted in criminal charges. While inside or near the residence, Tornes shot Glenda to death. Neighbors heard gunfire but did not immediately understand what had happened. Suspicion increased when Tornes was reportedly observed in the carport washing blood from himself. By the time police began approaching the home, Tornes had left and was traveling toward the Jackson Fire Department headquarters. Glenda's killing was the first murder in Tornes's rampage. It demonstrated that his violence was directed not only at fire department officials but also at a person with whom he had an intimate and deeply troubled relationship. ...

Confirmed Victims: (5)

Stanley Adams 45 yr old Male

1996 Jackson firehouse shooting - Wikipedia