Earlier this weekend, reports started rolling in of a shooting at a Silicon Valley tech startup in the wake of layoffs. It seems that Jing Hua Wu opened fire on SiPort employees after being laid off on Friday, killing chief executive Sid Agrawal, vice president of operations Brian Pugh, and Marilyn Lewis, human resources manager.

After the shooting, Jing Hua Wu ran, causing police in the area to issue “do not approach” warnings during the hunt for the armed man. Jing Hua Wu had accumulated 25 years experience in the technology industry working at various companies, including Adobe Systems, Intel and Bell Labs, Alliance Semiconductor, Layer Five Networks, Samsung, IBM and Synaptics.

SiPort, based in Santa Clara, California, as started in 2004. It makes digital radio chips, and received a round of funding to the tune of $20 million dollars last year, all of which was venture capital. The company released a statement on Saturday evening about the shooting following the arrest of Jing Hua Wu for the killings of three of their key employees (shown in full below).

As layoffs become more common in the face of rapidly changing technology and an evolving economy, the concern is that this won’t be the only time we write a story like this. I would hope that more companies approach their layoffs as Zappos, Inc. did – providing cushion for their employees to recover from the loss of a job. It is also my hope that with counseling the friends, family and colleagues of the three SiPort employees killed this weekend can overcome their sudden loss.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SIPORT HONORS EMPLOYEES, VICTIMS OF RECENT TRAGEDY

Sid Agrawal, Brian Pugh and Marilyn Lewis were Integral Part of SiPort Family

Santa Clara, CA. November 15, 2008. SiPort would like to offer heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims who were fatally shot yesterday afternoon. The three victims were Sid Agrawal, CEO; Brian Pugh, vice president of operations; and Marilyn Lewis, human resources manager.

“The entire SiPort staff and board are in mourning. We are a close-knit team of engineers and entrepreneurs who built this company together. We are devastated by the loss and our hearts go out to the families and friends of Sid, Brian and Marilyn,” said Aiman Kabakibo, CEO and company founder.

Sid Agrawal joined SiPort as CEO in 2004 and is credited with helping secure funding for the company, building out the executive staff and forming connections with early customers. He is known for his intelligence, approachability and warmth, as well as a leadership style that emphasized mentoring.

Brian Pugh served as vice president of operations and was responsible for transforming SiPort into a full-fledge, world-class manufacturing operation. He attended Stanford University and was known as a brilliant, high-energy engineer.

Marilyn Lewis served as the HR manager and was the glue that held the company together. She managed a variety of human resource and administrative functions including recruiting, payroll and vendor management. Marilyn joined the company in 2005 and was a key contributor to the growth of SiPort.

“All three people were extremely well liked and will be sorely missed. We are a team of entrepreneurs, engineers and scientists who enjoy working with each other very much. We grieve along with their families and friends,” said Kabakibo.

The alleged killer, Jing Hua Wu, is under arrest by the Santa Clara Police Department. Wu was terminated individually and not as part of a general layoff. In fact, SiPort has never had a general layoff in the history of the company. The company added to its staff in 2008 and anticipates continued growth.

SiPort wishes to express its appreciation to the Santa Clara Police Department and their colleagues elsewhere for their outstanding police work and for the compassion and support they have shown SiPort employees and families.

The SiPort management and board have met through the weekend to reach out to the victims’ families and its employees, and to ensure continuity of its operations. Further information on contributions to the families of the victims will be forthcoming.

About SiPort

SiPort is a wireless chip company based in Santa Clara, California. Founded in 2004, SiPort manufactures all its products in its Santa Clara facility.

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Entry was posted on Monday, November 17th, 2008 at 6:07 pm under Security, Technology.

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