Most firings end quietly, but a few carry real risk to managers, coworkers and the person leaving. A clear plan, plus trained security on site, keeps a hard day from turning into a dangerous one.
Recent Indiana Cases Show the Risk
Workplace conflict can turn violent fast, and it often happens in parking lots or outside the building after the shift ends. Three recent Indiana cases:
- Hancock County warehouse (August 2026): Deputies say a 42-year-old worker threatened to shoot a coworker, then was found in his vehicle outside the Buck Creek Township warehouse with a loaded gun on the seat. He had been asked to leave when his shift ended, but security let him back in because he was an employee. He faces felony charges, including armed criminal confinement. (Hoodline, Aug. 15, 2026)
- Lafayette (September 2026): Police say a 19-year-old shot a coworker after a workplace dispute, in an overflow parking lot near the job site. Prosecutors say video shows the victim had his hands up. He is charged with attempted murder. (WIBC, Sept. 30, 2026)
- Granger (July 2026): Police say a 24-year-old fired shots in a Walgreens parking lot after an argument with his concrete-work boss over pay. He is charged with criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon. (WNDU, July 8, 2026)
What these cases have in common:
- The trouble started with a work dispute: pay, a coworker, or a conflict on the job.
- Two of the three happened in parking lots, not at a desk.
- In the warehouse case, being “an employee” was enough to get back inside.
Warning Signs Before a Termination
Talk with HR and security before the meeting if the employee has shown:
- Threats, even “jokes,” about hurting someone
- Intense anger over pay, discipline or a coworker
- Harassment or fixation on a specific person
- Talk about weapons, or weapons seen at work
- Past discipline for aggression or intimidation
- Major stress at home that is spilling over into work
Before the Meeting
- Assess the risk. Review the file with HR, legal and security together.
- Choose time and place. A private room near an exit, away from the main work floor.
- Shut off access first. Badges, door codes, keys, systems and remote logins, timed to the meeting.
- Gather company property ahead of time where you can, so there’s less back-and-forth.
- Line up final pay and paperwork so the meeting is short and clear.
- Brief the front desk and staff who need to know, quietly.
During the Meeting
- Keep it short, respectful and factual.
- Two company representatives in the room. Never one manager alone.
- A security officer close by, calm and low-key, not standing over the employee.
- Don’t argue or debate the decision.
- Have a set plan for personal items: packed for the employee, or shipped later.
After the Meeting
- Escort the person out with dignity, not a march past coworkers.
- Watch the parking lot until the person has left the property.
- Update the entry list so front desk and guards know the person is no longer cleared to enter.
- Keep a security presence for a few days if threats were made.
- Write it all down: what was said, who was there, and any threats.
- Check on coworkers, especially anyone the person was fixated on.
How AESS Helps Wisconsin & Indiana Employers
AESS provides security for high-risk employee terminations for businesses across Wisconsin and Indiana:
- Planning with HR before the meeting
- Uniformed or plainclothes officers on site
- Respectful escorts out of the building
- Parking lot and entrance watch
- Short-term site security in the days that follow
- Clear incident reports for your records
We aim to be calm and discreet, and to protect your people and the employee’s dignity.
Planning a termination you’re worried about? Call AESS at 630-943-2291 to talk through a security plan.
FAQs
When should I hire security for an employee termination?
When the employee has made threats, shown aggression, has access to weapons, or is fixated on a coworker. If you’re asking the question, it’s worth a call.
Will a security officer make the situation worse?
Not when it’s done right. Our officers stay calm and low-key, close by but not confrontational. The goal is a quiet, respectful exit.
Can AESS stay on site after the termination?
Yes. We can watch entrances and the parking lot for a few days, or longer if threats were made.