Joseph Belotto, 40, was one of five city beach maintenance workers killed in a mass shooting on February 9, 1996, in Fort Lauderdale. The attack occurred early morning inside a trailer used as the crew’s office; the shooter, Clifton McCree, a former maintenance worker who had been dismissed more than a year earlier, carried a 9mm Glock and a .32-caliber revolver and also critically wounded one other person before turning the gun on himself.

McCree had worked for the city for 18 years and had been suspended several times for infractions including fighting on the job and absenteeism. He blamed coworkers and the city after failing a drug test and losing his job; his suicide note expressed anger about being unable to provide for his family and a desire to punish those he held responsible. City records did not corroborate his claims of racial discrimination.

Funeral services for Belotto and the other victims followed, and the city moved the maintenance crew’s office and made security changes. If anyone knew Joseph Belotto or has information about that day, please share what you remember.