Shooting Verdict: $3.

1M
Author(s): DAVID REYNOLDS, Daily News-Record Date: October 2, 2007 Section: Front Page

HARRISONBURG - A Rockingham County jury awarded $3.1 million to the

family of a woman shot to death last year by a co-worker at American
HomePatient, a medical supply company in Harrisonburg. The jury granted
compensatory damages to the husband of Bonnie Sue H. Crump of Grottoes,
and her three adult children.

Crump and Gary A. Gibson, of Harrisonburg, were shot and killed by co-worker
Brewer Hoover Jr., who the plaintiffs allege had become erratic and threatening
prior to the day of the shooting.
"I just hope and pray that this will cause other companies to take notice when
somebody complains," George Crump IV said Monday after the three-day civil
trial.
During the trial, which began on Thursday, Crump's attorneys alleged that
despite Crump's complaints about Hoover, American HomePatient failed to see
that he was dangerous, and also failed to provide a safe work environment.
In awarding the damages, the jury found against American HomePatient, but did
not order the other defendant in the case, Hoover's estate, to pay any damages,
according to the hearing.
A similar lawsuit filed by the Gibson family is scheduled for trial Oct. 11 and 12.
The Case And Trial
On the morning of May 16, 2006, Hoover arrived at American HomePatient's
office in the Town Center shopping mall on Neff Avenue with .38 and .40-caliber
handguns.
He shot and killed Crump and Gibson then killed himself after a two-hour standoff
with police, according to court testimony. Three other employees were in the
office at the time but escaped the shooting.
Months after the killings, Crump's and Gibson's families filed suits seeking a
combined $20 million from American HomePatient and Hoover's estate.
The jury did not order Hoover's estate to pay any damages, according to the
hearing.
During the trial, plaintiffs allege that Hoover had become infatuated with Crump,
and said that she feared him and told management of her concerns.
An attorney for American HomePatient argued that Crump had not told
management that she was afraid of Gibson, adding that the company could not
have known its employee was dangerous.
Large Settlement
Robert Keefer, a Harrisonburg lawyer who practices both civil and criminal law,
said the $3.1 million award is the largest he's seen in more than 20 years of
practicing law in the city. Keefer is not involved in the case.
After the verdict, Don Litten, who along with co-counsel Jason Botkins brought
Crump's case, declined to discuss the suit in detail, but said that the jury system
works.
According to the jury's instructions, Crump's three children should each receive
32 percent of the $3.1 million award. Her husband, George Crump should
receive 4 percent, the jury said.
Judge John McGrath told American HomePatient's attorneys he would consider a
motion on Nov. 8 to set aside the verdict.
H. Robert Yates III, an attorney for the company, declined to discuss the case on
Monday.
Grant Richardson, an attorney from Bridgewater, and Dillina Stickley, of the law
firm Hoover Penrod, represent Hoover's estate. They also declined to discuss the
case in detail, citing the upcoming trial related to Gibson's suit.
But Stickley said that Hoover's daughter, Deborah Morris, regrets her father's
actions.
"She is so sorry for the losses everyone has suffered," Stickley said. "It truly was
a tragedy."

Contact David Reynolds at 574-6278 or reynolds@dnronline.com