Salvador Tapia

Mass Murderer

Salvador Tapia and the 2003 Chicago Warehouse Massacre

Background

Salvador Tapia was responsible for a deadly workplace shooting that occurred on August 27, 2003, at Windy City Core Supply, an automotive-parts warehouse located at 3912 South Wallace Street on Chicago's South Side. Tapia, a 36-year-old former employee, entered the business with a handgun and killed six people before he was fatally shot by police. The attack became one of the deadliest workplace shootings in Chicago history. Tapia had been born in Mexico and later lived in Chicago. He worked at Windy City Core Supply, a relatively small business that bought and distributed automotive components. The company employed only about nine people, including members of the Weiner family, who owned and operated the warehouse. Tapia's employment reportedly became increasingly troubled during the months before he was dismissed. His supervisors said that his attitude and attendance had deteriorated beginning around September 2002. He frequently arrived late, missed entire workdays and created other workplace problems. In March 2003, approximately five months before the massacre, the company fired him. One of the owners later said that Tapia had been dismissed for numerous reasons rather than because of a single incident.

Prior Criminal and Behavioral Problems

Tapia had an extensive history of arrests and confrontations before the warehouse killings. His record included a 1989 conviction for unlawful use of a weapon. He had also been arrested in connection with allegations that he threatened or assaulted family members, girlfriends and a neighbor. Despite the number of incidents associated with him, he reportedly had never served a lengthy prison sentence. His driver's license had been suspended and was later revoked following a drunken-driving arrest. Alcohol appeared to be a recurring problem in his life. After Windy City Core Supply terminated his employment, Tapia allegedly telephoned the company and left rambling or hostile messages on its answering machine while intoxicated. The threatening communications suggested that Tapia remained angry about being fired. However, employees continued operating the warehouse without knowing precisely when or how he might attempt to retaliate. On the morning of August 27, 2003, Tapia returned to the building prepared to carry out that retaliation.

The Attack Begins

At approximately 8:30 a.m. on August 27, Tapia entered Windy City Core Supply carrying a Walther PP .380-caliber semiautomatic pistol. Employee Eduardo Sanchez was already inside the warehouse. Tapia confronted Sanchez at gunpoint and restrained him by tying him to a metal bar. According to Sanchez's later account, Tapia told him that he was not going to kill him. Tapia reportedly indicated that he intended to make the other people at the company pay. Sanchez remained bound inside the warehouse while Tapia waited for employees and members of the Weiner family to arrive for work. The building contained rows of automobile parts, metal drums, machinery, crates and narrow passageways. Tapia used the interior of the warehouse to conceal himself and control the entrance. As people entered through the front door, he confronted and shot them. Six people were killed during the attack. ...

Confirmed Victims: (6)

Calvin Ramsey 44 yr old Male

2003 Chicago warehouse shooting