Man who killed three people at former Waterloo, Ont. glove factory granted unescorted leave from prison

The man responsible for a 1992 triple shooting in Waterloo has been granted unescorted leave from prison. CTV’s Heather Senoran reports.

A man who killed three people at a Waterloo, Ont. glove factory in 1992 has been granted unescorted temporary absences (UTA) from prison.

Patrick Dombroskie, who was 28 at the time, drove to a police station and turned himself in shortly after the shooting inside the Ontario Glove factory.

“He walked in with a rifle and walked passed me,” one witness said. “All of a sudden, I heard a pop and ran to the bathroom. And then I ran across over here and called police.”

The victims were 39-year-old company co-owner Greg More, 33-year-old supervisor Larry Strack and 43-year-old Elizabeth Travassos, another employee.

At his murder trial, court heard Dombroskie was a disgruntled employee who became enraged after being suspended from his job.

He was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted on three counts of first-degree murder. Dombroskie’s parole eligibility was set at 25 years, and he was also given a lifetime ban on weapons and firearms.

Previous parole attempts

Over the ensuing years, he unsuccessfully applied for parole.

The board, after rejecting one of his requests, stated: “When questioned at intake [Dombroskie] indicated that the victims had been bothering [him] and that if [he] became upset with others who bothered [him], [he] may kill again.”

While at Bath Institution, a medium security prison in Kingston, Ont., his conduct as a prisoner was described as “satisfactory” but the board felt he had not shown his ability to function in a “less structured environment” and had not taken an “active” role in planning for his potential release. The board said this “passive behaviour is consistent with [his] attitude prior to the index offence.”

Greg More’s family also argued that Dombroskie had never shown any sign of remorse.

Board’s decision

The Parole Board of Canada issued a report after reviewing Dombroskie’s case.

Dombroskie, they said, became enraged after being suspended from his job.

“On February 3, 1992, you entered your workplace with a semi automatic rifle and 60 rounds of ammunition, opened fire and killed three employees,” the report read.

It also noted Dombroskie struggled with both homicidal and suicidal ideation at the time of the shooting but was not under the influence of intoxicants.

The report also cited a psychological risk assessment that was put together earlier this year.

“Possible motivators for your offence [were] your desire for retribution and/or vengeance for perceived wrongs and to reestablish status and esteem,” the parole board said.

The report acknowledged that Dombroskie’s crime “was not an impulsive mistake, rather a deliberate and premeditated overreaction to a workplace incident.”

“Victims have concerns about their safety and have requested you have no contact with them,” the report continued.

According to the board, Dombroskie had no prior criminal history.

“The board concludes your inability to control your disinhibitors is aggravating, but your criminal history is mitigating,” the report said.

The parole board also looked at Dombroskie’s behaviour behind bars. They noted that he had no major incidents, except in 2009 when he refused to surrender an improvised weapon. Additionally, he had gone out on dozens of escorted temporary absences (ETAs) without incident.

“This includes ETAs to your church and the same local Community Residential Facility (CRF) you intend to live at while on a UTA.”

Plan for unescorted temporary absences

The parole board described Dombroskie’s 60-day UTA as “rehabilitative” and for “personal development purposes.”

It listed several conditions he must follow.

He must participate in what the board described as a “highly individualized program,” which he was also required to attend during past escorted temporary absences.

Dombroskie, the report continued, will be transported to and from a community-based residential facility (CBRFs) by correctional staff.

He will meet with a clinical counsellor, participate in weekly meetings and attend other mentorship programs and support groups.

“The UTA will help you increase positive community support and engage in prosocial leisure activities,” the parole board said.

Dombroskie will be able to walk around his neighbourhood for up to two hours at a time to begin with, while escorted by staff.

He will also be allowed to visit other locations related to the CHOICES program, “as well as secondary destinations that will provide you opportunities for positive social interactions in the community.”

While Dombroskie will have access to employment services, he cannot look for employment opportunities on his own.

The parole board said he presents a moderate risk for reoffending, both generally and violently, based on the results of the historical clinical risk management test.

Special conditions

Dombroskie must also abide by special conditions set out by the parole board.

He must follow the treatment plan or program arranged by his parole supervisor, he must not have direct or indirect contact with his victims, and he cannot travel to Ontario. He’s not permitted overnight leave privileges, as the report noted Dombroskie does not have any family support in the area.

The parole board said their hope was that unescorted temporary absences would allow Dombroskie to “build and foster a pro-social community network.”