American woman shot dead by co-worker for taking ‘long breaks’ during work hours

A 51-year-old woman allegedly took part in the tragic incident shot and killed by an obsessive co-worker in a Lewisville, Texas, office building last week because she was taking “long breaks from work.”

The victim, identified as Tamhara Collazo, was transported to the hospital by Lewisville Police, but died from his injuries.

Defendant Travis Merrill, 51, was arrested on Thursday after police reported that he had shot and killed Collazo at the desk in Allegiance trucks.

When interviewed by police, Merrill told them that he “became obsessed with Collazo and began to become increasingly angry when she took what he believed to be unauthorized long breaks during work hours and also paid no attention to him (sic).” – we read in the affidavit regarding the arrest warrant.

After several months, Collazo told Merrill to stop babysitting her during breaks and reported his behavior to human resources. The statement says he was asked to consult with an advisor before being cleared to return to work.

Merrill also told police that Collazo intentionally avoided him after he returned to work, which further fueled his anger.

Then he started buying weapons and practicing with them at home.

He also took a gun to work several times, but didn’t use it because he “didn’t feel like it.”

On the day of the murder, Merrill followed Collazo to the parking lot while she was on her lunch break. He watched as he sat in his car as usual and then went to his vehicle to retrieve his two revolvers.

“When she returned home after lunch, he followed her to her cabin and ‘attacked’ her by shooting his gun several times,” the affidavit said.

Twenty co-workers witnessed the shooting.

Later, when they arrived, Merrill approached police.

The defendant is currently in the Denton County Jail on murder charges.