Fired Secretary Returns With a Gun
A secretary who had been fired from her job at a Century City law firm returned with a gun Friday but surrendered without incident after a lawyer coolly excused himself and summoned authorities, police said.
Rone Ellis, about 35, was booked at the West Los Angeles Division on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. Detective Steve Osti said Ellis readily complied when officers ordered her out of a 34th floor office at Sidely & Austin, 2049 Century Park East.
Managing partner Charles Vogel said Ellis told police that she was “just trying to scare” those in the office. “Well,” Vogel added, “she succeeded. It was a good act.”
Ellis was fired on Wednesday for a reason Vogel declined to discuss. He said the North Hollywood resident returned about noon Friday, went to the office of Rex Beaber, sat at the attorney’s desk and said she wanted to talk.
“Just a moment and I’ll continue that thought with you,” Vogel quoted Beaber as saying just before leaving the office to summon help.
Other employees were evacuated while waiting for police to arrive. They were back to work by 1:30 p.m., Ellis said.
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