Elijah Brown

Mass Murderer

Elijah Brown and the 2004 ConAgra Plant Mass Murder

Overview

On July 2, 2004, 21-year-old Elijah Brown carried out a workplace mass shooting inside the ConAgra Foods meatpacking plant at 4612 Speaker Road in Kansas City, Kansas. Brown, an employee of the plant, used two handguns to shoot seven co-workers, killing five and seriously wounding two others. After attacking the workers, Brown died by suicide inside the facility. The shooting began shortly after 5:00 p.m. during an evening shift at the large meat-processing plant in Wyandotte County. Investigators determined that Brown had brought the firearms into the workplace and stored them in his employee locker before the attack. Witness accounts indicated that he was angry with certain co-workers and believed that some employees had repeatedly teased, disrespected, or harassed him.

Events Before the Shooting

Brown was described as a quiet employee who generally kept to himself. He had previously served in the military and had reportedly experienced difficulties with other workers at the plant. Some co-workers said Brown believed he was being ridiculed, although the precise nature and extent of the workplace conflict remained disputed. On the afternoon of July 2, employees attended a workplace meeting before taking a scheduled break. Brown went to his locker and retrieved two handguns that he had concealed there. He then entered an employee break area where a number of his co-workers had gathered.

The Attack

Brown began confronting and shooting selected employees inside the break room and surrounding areas of the plant. Witnesses reported that he appeared to recognize his targets and did not fire indiscriminately at everyone he encountered. He reportedly accused certain workers of mistreating him before opening fire. During the attack, Brown was reported to have told at least one victim that the shooting was a consequence of "messing" with him. Other workers were allowed to leave after Brown indicated that he had no grievance against them. These statements led investigators to believe that resentment toward particular co-workers was an important motive for the killings. The sound of gunfire caused panic throughout the facility. Employees fled through exits, hid behind machinery, or sought protection in other parts of the building. Emergency calls brought Kansas City, Kansas, police officers and other first responders to the plant. The enormous industrial facility was evacuated while officers entered to locate the shooter and assist the wounded. ...

Confirmed Victims: (5)

Lonnie Ellingburg 46 yr old Male