Boston Stockbroker Kills Boss

A stockbroker for the Merrill Lynch financial services company who was about to be fired walked into the firm’s office today and fatally shot his boss, police said.

George Cook, 56, a Merrill Lynch regional vice president, was pronounced dead at Massachusetts General Hospital about two hours after being shot in the chest. Witnesses said the suspect, Lonnie Gilchrist, was wrestled to the floor by other employees after firing several shots in the office on the 36th floor of the downtown building. He was arrested and charged with homicide. Cook had been with the brokerage for 31 years, the company said, while Gilchrist has worked there for less than two years.