Fired Trainer Kills Two Equinox Employees

Courtney Cameron Headshot

On Sunday, Equinox gym sent an email to members confirming the deaths of three employees at their Merrick Park location in Coral Gables, Fla. The deaths were a result of injuries sustained in a fitness center shooting.

Gunman Abeku Wilson, 33, was reportedly fired from his position as a fitness trainer on Saturday for workplace violence, and was escorted off the premises. Wilson returned later the same day armed with a handgun and shot two managers before killing himself.

The victims have been confirmed to be general manager Janine Ackerman and fitness manager Marios Hortis, both of whom seem to have been purposefully targeted. Miami-Dade County Police told The Huffington Post, “This was not an act of random violence.” An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

According to the Miami Herald, Janine Ackerman, 35, was shot in the head and died late on Saturday. Marios Hortis, 42, underwent surgery before dying of his wounds. Both victims were airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, while Wilson was pronounced dead on the scene.

In a Twitter post, a gym member shared the email sent by Equinox on Sunday. “Our sense of loss is too profound for words,” the letter reads.

Other members took to Facebook to memorialize the staff members.

On Sunday, the Miami Herald reported that Equinox has provided grief counseling for members and employees at the Biltmore hotel.

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