Salvador Tapia

Mass Murderer

Salvador Tapia (2003): Chicago Warehouse Mass Murder

Overview

On the morning of August 27, 2003, former employee Salvador Tapia 36, entered the Windy City Core Supply auto-parts warehouse on Chicago’s South Side and murdered six workers before he was shot and killed by responding police. The attack unfolded between roughly 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. at the company’s facility at 3912 S. Wallace St., Chicago, Illinois Investigators later identified his handgun as a Walther PP .380 ACP.

Background

Tapia had been fired in March 2003 after months of attendance problems and disciplinary issues. Former managers said his demeanor worsened in late 2002, and after his termination he reportedly left threatening, drunken messages on the company’s answering machine. He also had a documented history of arrests, including a 1989 weapons conviction and multiple domestic battery and assault arrests; despite this record, he had served no prison time prior to the attack.

The Attack

According to police and survivor accounts, Tapia arrived around 8:30 a.m. confronted employee Eduardo Sanchez and tied him to a metal bar at gunpoint, telling him he would not be harmed and that he intended to “make these people pay.” Tapia then positioned himself near the entrance and shot workers as they arrived. Sanchez later freed himself, escaped down a back stairwell, and called 911 from a nearby restaurant, warning another arriving employee to stay away. When officers reached the warehouse, Tapia exchanged gunfire with them outside, retreated inside, and was ultimately located by Chicago’s Hostage Barricade and Terrorist Team among stacks of drums and crates. He refused to drop his weapon and was fatally shot by police. ...Read More

Confirmed Victims: (6)

Calvin Ramsey 44 yr old Male

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2003 Chicago warehouse shooting

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