A Missouri man with a prior homicide conviction is accused of threatening to murder his co-workers after they called him out for being lazy on the job, flashing a gun equipped with a 100-round drum magazine and saying he would "split everyone's taco" if he was fired.
Background
David E. Downing Jr., 40, worked as an employee of a roofing company in St. Charles County when, according to a probable cause arrest affidavit, he arrived late for work on Aug. 20. After showing up, supervisors observed that Downing was not performing his duties. An assistant foreman reported the issue to management.
When Downing overheard coworkers discussing his lack of effort and tardiness, he confronted them about being "disrespectful," according to investigators. The boss attempted to defuse the situation by sending everyone to lunch.
During the drive to lunch, Downing allegedly showed a coworker crime scene photographs from Pennsylvania related to his prior conviction for involuntary manslaughter. He also claimed to have killed another person in St. Louis that remained unsolved, the affidavit stated. At that point, authorities say Downing reached behind his coworker and produced a firearm featuring a 100-round drum magazine.
After returning to the job site, Downing continued being combative with coworkers, investigators wrote. His boss sent him home and told him not to return the following day.
The Charges
According to court documents, Downing then allegedly addressed approximately 10 to 11 employees present at the scene, stating: "If I am fired over this incident, I will return to the job and 'split everyone's taco.'"
Workers on site indicated they were taking the threats seriously and expressed fear about returning to work. The defendant's former boss received a phone call from Downing demanding $1,000 from everyone or he would shoot up the workplace, investigators stated.
The company's president subsequently called all personnel off the job site out of safety concerns and terminated Downing via text message.
St. Charles County Sheriff's deputies arrested Downing following an investigation by the St. Charles Police Department. Jail records confirm he remains in custody on $300,000 cash-only bond.
Court documents indicate that prior to this incident, Downing had been sentenced in 2022 to a term of 45 months to 12 years behind bars for the September 2019 shooting death of Derrick Potts, 50, in Valley Township, Pennsylvania. According to The Daily Item, Downing confronted Potts about allegedly raping his girlfriend before killing him inside a hotel room located approximately 45 miles northwest of Philadelphia.
Prosecutors originally charged Downing with murder, but a jury ultimately convicted him of the lesser offense of involuntary manslaughter. He received credit for time served and was released on parole in April 2024.
Montour County Judge Gary E. Norton, who presided over that case, admonished Downing for failing to control his temper and taking the law into his own hands — a pattern that apparently resurfaced during the Missouri workplace incident.
"If people would take a few breaths, have a discussion and not go armed in anticipation of a problem, we'd have less problems," Norton said during sentencing. "We'd have peace. It's a shame we can't live in peace. This is what happens. A man's dead."
Key Takeaways
- Downing has been charged with first-degree terrorist threat and unlawful possession of a firearm in St. Charles County Circuit Court
- He was released on parole in April 2024 after serving time for involuntary manslaughter in Pennsylvania
- The alleged threats occurred after coworkers reported him for being late and not working at a roofing company
- Downing allegedly displayed crime scene photos from his prior conviction while showing the gun to coworkers
- His next scheduled court appearance is set for Sept. 9
What's Next
Downing remains held in St. Charles County Jail without bail eligibility as he awaits trial. He faces up to first-degree terrorist threat charges, which carry significant prison time if convicted. Court records show his arraignment and preliminary hearing dates have not yet been publicly scheduled beyond the September court date.
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections confirmed Downing's status as a parolee at the time of his new arrest in Missouri.