A woman employed at the Tesla Gigafactory has filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging that the individual accused of executing the deadly shooting on 6th Street had previously attacked her at work. This incident reportedly occurred only months prior to the tragic event.
Lillian Mendoza Brady claims she first recognized the assailant’s name while watching news coverage of the shooting, which left several people injured and dead. The lawsuit points to Tesla’s alleged negligence in failing to ensure a safe working environment and not disclosing critical information about the suspect.
Brady’s attorney, Bob Hilliard, asserted that Tesla should have been aware of Ndiaga Diagne’s aggressive behavior and temperament. He described the incident from December 4, when Brady encountered Diagne while he was praying in a common area of the factory. Seeking to respect his space, she attempted to navigate around him, only to be violently grabbed and thrown to the ground.
After the assault, Brady promptly reported the incident to Tesla’s security, but faced difficulties obtaining the assailant’s identity or any surveillance footage of the attack. “Tesla said, no, we’re not giving you the name and you don’t get the videotape,” Hilliard stated. He questioned whether Tesla’s lack of cooperation contributed to Diagne’s ability to carry out the shooting days later.
Brady sustained injuries to her back, neck, and hips, resulting in a six-week absence from work. She is pursuing over a million dollars in damages, emphasizing her right to a secure workplace and questioning Tesla’s knowledge of Diagne’s past behavior.
This lawsuit was initiated shortly after the shooting event, although Hilliard had been engaged for the personal injury case prior to the incident. Meanwhile, U.S. Representative Chip Roy has raised concerns about the suspect’s immigration status, suggesting that he should not have been allowed to remain in the country.
The situation has drawn significant attention, highlighting broader issues surrounding workplace safety and the responsibilities of employers to protect their employees. Tesla has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the lawsuit.
