Deadly complaint | Lowe's worker shot dead after colleague warned HR by email

A Lowe’s employee was shot and killed by a co-worker during an overnight shift in Pennsylvania, with the alleged shooter claiming the incident followed ignored complaints to management and HR.

Christopher Wasnetsky, 36, is accused of fatally shooting 44-year-old Jeff Moeller around 12:30 a.m. during their shift at the Scranton, Pa. store. A criminal complaint said Wasnetsky fired several rounds while Moeller was operating a forklift. He was struck twice in the head and once in the back.

Responding officers transported Moeller to Geisinger Community Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.

Shooter emailed HR before killing

According to police, Wasnetsky not only confessed to the shooting but told investigators he emailed Lowe’s management and HR in advance. In the message, he allegedly stated what he intended to do and claimed the situation might have been preventable had action been taken earlier.

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Wasnetsky told investigators he had practiced with his Springfield 9mm handgun in his backyard in preparation for the shooting. He admitted to approaching Moeller while he was on the forklift and firing into his chest from about five feet away.

Moeller fell and reportedly pleaded for help, at which point Wasnetsky said he shot him twice in the head to “end his suffering.”

Claims of workplace harassment unaddressed

Wasnetsky told police that Moeller had been harassing him and that repeated complaints had not led to any resolution. He said management did nothing despite his filings and that he felt driven to act.

The suspect also told the 911 operator that he was the person responsible for the shooting. Police arrested him without resistance at the front entrance of the store shortly after the incident.

Wasnetsky is currently being held without bail at Lackawanna County Prison and faces charges of first- and third-degree murder.

It remains unclear whether the company took any action in response to Wasnetsky’s earlier complaints or if the HR team received the warning email before the shooting took place. There is also no clarity on whether the HR department were able attempt to de-escalate the dispute.