On December 4, 2015 in Kenner, Louisiana, 49-year-old Anthony Tardo was shot and killed at his workplace, Houston Marine Training Services. According to accounts, an instructor at the school, John Spears, entered Tardo’s office and shot him once in the chest; co-workers heard Tardo utter an expletive just before the shot. Spears then told colleagues to call for help, left the building, placed his firearm on his car, and waited for police. He surrendered without resistance.

Co-workers said they were unaware of any prior conflict between the men; Spears had worked at the training center about a year, while Tardo had been there nearly two decades and was a father to triplets. Family members described Tardo as generous and caring with a contagious laugh.