1 Shot to Death, 1 Wounded at Former Military Base

A Department of Defense employee opened fire at a government office Monday, killing one worker and wounding another, the FBI said.

Military police arrested John R. Filler III, 46, after the shootings at the Monterey Presidio Logistical Support Center at the former Ft. Ord Army base, said FBI spokesman George Grotz. Filler is a computer specialist at the center 90 miles south of San Francisco.

He was arraigned Monday afternoon before a federal magistrate in San Jose on charges of murder, attempted murder and use of a firearm in connection with a violent crime. Filler did not enter a plea at the brief hearing.

Magistrate Patricia Trumbull ordered Filler held without bail until Wednesday, when a hearing will be held to decide if he should remain in custody.

The motive for the shooting was not immediately known. The only known connection between Filler and the victims is that they worked in the same building, according to the FBI.

“It could be a disgruntled employee. At this point we don’t know,” Grotz said.

The dead man was identified as Gerald David Lloyd, 49, a civilian maintenance employee.

The wounded worker was identified as James P. Gaughran, 65, who was shot in the shoulder. He was being treated at a Monterey hospital.

Filler, a resident of the nearby town of Marina, allegedly opened fire with a .22-caliber semiautomatic rifle shortly before 7 a.m., Grotz said.

The Monterey Presidio Logistical Support Center is at the former Ft. Ord Army base, which the Defense Department decided to close in 1994. Most of the base is being converted to civilian use.

According to the FBI, Filler works at the Defense Department’s finance and accounting service.