Employee Warns ‘People Are Going to Die’ Before Deadly Workplace Shooting

A morning at a Virginia equipment rental business turned deadly after police say an employee announced that “three people are going to die” before allegedly opening fire on his coworkers.

Two employees were killed and a third was wounded in the Wednesday morning shooting at a United Rentals facility in Manassas, roughly 30 miles outside Washington, D.C.

Police identified the two men who died as Ricky Lamot, 48, and Christopher Serrano, 33.

The suspected gunman, 37-year-old Marvin Grant of Charlotte, North Carolina, fled the scene and was found more than 100 miles away following a statewide search, authorities said. He later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during a standoff with Virginia State Police.

Investigators are now working to determine what led to the workplace attack and whether Grant had planned it ahead of time.

Manassas City Police Chief Douglas Keen said Grant arrived at the United Rentals facility on Wellington Road Wednesday morning and allegedly made a disturbing statement to another employee.

According to Keen, Grant said that “three people are going to die.”

Police said an altercation followed.

Grant then allegedly pulled a handgun from his waistband and opened fire in the garage area of the business, striking three coworkers.

At least eight employees were reportedly inside the facility at the time.

Emergency crews rushed all three wounded men to the hospital in critical condition. Lamot and Serrano later died from their injuries.

The third victim, whose name has not been released, was stabilized and is expected to survive. Police said he would require surgery.

Investigators have not publicly identified a motive.

However, Keen revealed another detail that could become important to the investigation: police believe Grant changed the license plate on his vehicle sometime after midnight before going to work Wednesday.

Authorities are examining whether that move — along with the alleged warning made shortly before the shooting — could indicate that some portion of the attack was planned.

Grant was described in local reporting as a relatively new employee at the facility.

Following the gunfire, he allegedly drove away in a gray Toyota with temporary North Carolina plates, setting off a large-scale search across Virginia.

Police used investigative technology to track Grant as he traveled south.

A Virginia State Police trooper eventually spotted his vehicle on southbound Interstate 81 in Augusta County.

Troopers attempted to stop him when he entered a rest area near mile marker 232, according to authorities.

Grant initially got out of his vehicle before climbing back inside and driving away, police said.

A pursuit followed.

Grant eventually stopped again along Interstate 81 near mile marker 227 and emerged from the vehicle carrying a gun, according to police.

State police brought in a tactical team and negotiator as officers attempted to resolve the situation.

The standoff lasted about an hour.

Police said Grant then suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Virginia State Police said its troopers did not fire their weapons during the encounter.

Back in Manassas, the shooting caused widespread concern as officers searched for the armed suspect.

Authorities temporarily restricted access around Wellington Road and the Route 28 Bypass, while people in the surrounding area were urged to remain inside.

Nearby schools also took precautions.

Students and staff at Jennie Dean Elementary School were redirected to Metz Middle School as authorities worked to secure the area. Those restrictions were later lifted after police determined Grant had left Northern Virginia.

As investigators search for answers, attention has also turned to the two fathers killed while at work.

Serrano’s wife, Mayra, told FOX 5 DC that her husband sent her a frightening message that morning saying someone had brought a gun to work.

She repeatedly tried to reach him after receiving the message.

Eventually, someone helping Serrano answered his phone, allowing the couple to speak during his final moments.

His family said Serrano was the father of a 10-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter.

His wife remembered him as an devoted father and partner who deeply loved his children and family.

Lamot was also remembered for his commitment to young people in the community.

Chief Keen said he personally knew Lamot because the two had previously coached youth football together.

Keen became emotional while discussing the loss, saying Lamot was deeply committed to his children and to the young athletes he coached.

The chief said the tragedy was especially painful knowing Lamot’s children had suddenly lost their father.

Investigators are now reviewing evidence from inside the United Rentals facility, including surveillance footage and witness accounts, as they try to reconstruct exactly what happened before the gunfire erupted.

Grant’s death means detectives will never be able to question him directly about his motive, making evidence from coworkers, electronic records and the business itself particularly important.

Police are also looking more closely at his actions during the hours before the attack, including the alleged license-plate change.

Keen stressed that the suspect’s death does not end the investigation or provide closure for the families left behind.

Authorities have not announced evidence showing why the three specific employees were targeted or whether the confrontation Wednesday morning stemmed from an earlier workplace dispute.

The investigation remains ongoing.