Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Fla. Shooter Was Broke, Angry at Company

Engineer, now working at Subway, says firm 'left me to rot'

By the Associated Press

Posted Nov 7, 2009 6:44 AM CST
Email

(AP) – Jason Rodriguez, the Orlando engineer taken into custody after a shooting spree that left one former coworker dead and five wounded, told detectives he blamed the firm that fired him for recent trouble he had receiving unemployment benefits. As officers led him handcuffed into a police station, a reporter asked the divorced 40-year-old why he had attacked his former colleagues. "Because they left me to rot," said Rodriguez.

The shooting suspect recently told a bankruptcy judge he was making less than $30,000 a year at a Subway sandwich shop and had debts of nearly $90,000. All the victims worked at the firm of Reynolds, Smith and Hills, where Rodriguez was an entry-level engineer for 11 months before he was fired in June 2007. "I'm just going through a tough time right now. I'm sorry," he told officers as they were handcuffing him. Last week, his 8-year-old son reported, Rodriguez, asked why he didn't come visit, said, "'Because I don't have any money. I don't have a job. I don't have anything to eat. When things get better, I'll come see you.'"

This image made from video provided by Channel 13 News in Orlando, Fla., shows Jason Rodriguez being taken into custody by police officers in Orlando, Fla.
This image made from video provided by Channel 13 News in Orlando, Fla., shows Jason Rodriguez being taken into custody by police officers in Orlando, Fla.   ((AP Photo/Channel 13 News, cfnews13.com))
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, third from left, and Orlando Police Chief Val Demings, second from right, walk with other police officials to prepare for a press conference after a shooting at the Legions Place office building in Orlando, Fla., Friday, Nov. 6, 2009.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, third from left, and Orlando Police Chief Val Demings, second from right, walk with other police officials to prepare for a press conference after a shooting at the Legions Place...   (Reinhold Matay)
This video frame grab image taken from WFTV television shows the Legions Place office building in downtown Orlando, Fla. where a gunman has opened fire wounding several people, according to police., Friday Nov. 6, 2009. Orange County Sheriff's Spokesman Jim Solomons says his department is backing up Orlando police and...
This video frame grab image taken from WFTV television shows the Legions Place office building in downtown Orlando, Fla. where a gunman has opened fire wounding several people, according to police., Friday...   ((AP Photo/WFTV))
Jason Rodriguez is seen in this undated photo provided by the Orlando Police Department Friday Nov. 6, 2009. Rodriguez is considered the suspect in the shooting at an Orlando Office Building Friday.
Jason Rodriguez is seen in this undated photo provided by the Orlando Police Department Friday Nov. 6, 2009. Rodriguez is considered the suspect in the shooting at an Orlando Office Building Friday.   ((AP Photo/Orlando Police Dept.))
Gery Kilgo, left, speaks to the media after she and others were evacuated from the scene of a shooting in downtown Orlando, Fla., Friday, Nov. 6, 2009. Officials searched Friday for a gunman who opened fire in a downtown office building where he used to work.
Gery Kilgo, left, speaks to the media after she and others were evacuated from the scene of a shooting in downtown Orlando, Fla., Friday, Nov. 6, 2009. Officials searched Friday for a gunman who opened...   (Joe Burbank)
Jason Rodriguez being taken into custody by police officers in Orlando, Fla.
Jason Rodriguez being taken into custody by police officers in Orlando, Fla.   ((AP Photo/News 13, cfnews13.com) )
Emergency workers transport a victim from a shooting in downtown Orlando on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, in Orlando, Fla. Police are searching for a gunman who injured at least eight people at a downtown Orlando, Fla., office building. Orange County Sheriff's Spokesman Jim Solomons says his department is backing up...
Emergency workers transport a victim from a shooting in downtown Orlando on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, in Orlando, Fla. Police are searching for a gunman who injured at least eight people at a downtown Orlando,...   (Joe Burbank)
People leave an office building that was the scene of a shooting in downtown Orlando, Fla. on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009.
People leave an office building that was the scene of a shooting in downtown Orlando, Fla. on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009.   (Joe Burbank)
Relatives of office workers from the Legions Place office building speak with a fire official, left, after a shooting at the building in Orlando, Fla., Friday, Nov. 6, 2009.
Relatives of office workers from the Legions Place office building speak with a fire official, left, after a shooting at the building in Orlando, Fla., Friday, Nov. 6, 2009.   (Reinhold Matay)
A woman who was evacuated from the Legions Place office building after an office shooting is loaded into an ambulance in Orlando, Fla., Friday, Nov. 6, 2009.
A woman who was evacuated from the Legions Place office building after an office shooting is loaded into an ambulance in Orlando, Fla., Friday, Nov. 6, 2009.   (Reinhold Matay)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
bewilderbeast
Nov 9, 2009 11:52 AM CST
My heart broke reading what he said to his boy: "'Because I don't have any money. I don't have a job. I don't have anything to eat. When things get better, I'll come see you.'" ----------- @Jojo, I hope you never reach as low a point; @Zantura, you got it right.
cochiserocks
Nov 7, 2009 12:56 PM CST
Sad story with an even sadder outcome for the victims and their families. I wonder if this recession is going to bring more like this. Sounds very trite and cliché I know, but you got to keep perspective during the tough times. If my life has taught me anything, it's that if you choose to give up - that's exactly what you've done - CHOSEN to give up - Doesn't mean there's not more gas in the tank, doesn't mean there's not a break around the corner, just means you've drawn a line and decided for yourself to quit. Weirdly some folks see that moment as empowering - like they are in fact back in control after running and running to try and keep up - forgive the armchair analysis - just worried this situation/perspective is going to become more common as the high street suffers, while Wall street bonuses boom again.
dax
Nov 7, 2009 5:00 AM CST
No, you're right cochiserocks. These are challenging times and people need to look within themselves to find the the motivation and answers to reconstruct rather than self destruct. Good post.

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

US

 
Orlando • mass shootings • Jason Rodriguez • Jason Rodriguez Orlando FL • mass shootings • Jason Rodriguez

More Newser Stories

Orlando Shooter's Mom: 'I Am So Sorry'

Fla. Shooting Spree Suspect Arrested

1 Dead, 5 Injured in Orlando Shooting Spree
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne