A violent turn of events unfolded at a Fayette County auto shop when a recently fired employee returned to the scene and shot his former boss. The suspect, identified as Grant Headley, opened fire at Route 51 Auto Wreckers shortly after 8:30 a.m. yesterday, according to WPXI. The Fayette County District Attorney, Mike Aubele, indicated that the shooting appears to be directly linked to Headley's recent termination from the job earlier in the week.
Upon his return to the workplace, Headley sought to retrieve $60,000 worth of personal tools. During the incident, State Police say video footage shows an altercation between Headley and James Bell, the owner of the auto wreckers. The confrontation escalated, and Bell was shot in the thigh, but fortunately, he's now in stable condition at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. "It sounds like he’s gotten extremely lucky," Aubele stated, per WPXI, this statement highlighting the fortunate outcome despite the perilous circumstances.
Headley, facing numerous charges including attempted homicide, turned himself in following the incident. As per the WTAE report, he told police he thought his former boss was advancing towards him with a forklift in an apparent attempt to destroy his tools. This perceived threat led him to fire at Bell multiple times with a firearm he retrieved from his car amidst the heated interaction.
Authorities are diligently working through the case, with Headley's preliminary hearing set for August 27.
