Car salesman arrested in shooting of boss

An officer sits in his car after a shooting occurred at a Mac Haik Pre-Owned dealership Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, in Houston. The alleged shooter was a salesman who shot the sales manager after a confrontation occured police said. less An officer sits in his car after a shooting occurred at a Mac Haik Pre-Owned dealership Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, in Houston. The alleged shooter was a salesman who shot the sales manager after a confrontation ... more Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 11 Caption Close Car salesman arrested in shooting of boss 1 / 11 Back to Gallery

The meeting Thursday was tense between the used car salesman and his boss.

And when salesman Keith Edward Grimmett returned to work the next day, he stormed into his supervisor's office at a Mac Haik dealership in west Houston. Within seconds, police said, Grimmett pulled out a pistol and opened fire, striking Robert Kuentz in the neck.

Kuentz is expected to survive the shooting, police said. He was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital.

Grimmett would surrender Friday afternoon and has been charged with aggravated assault.

Other employees and customers were at the used car dealership at 11750 Katy Freeway near Kirkwood when the gunfire broke out about 9:30 a.m. Friday.

A co-worker clutched a crucifix and fought back tears after the shooting of his 30-year-old supervisor.

"I'm just kind of tormented right now," said Andriko Gibson. "I just pray he pulls through."

According to the criminal complaint filed against Grimmett, the shooting was sparked by an argument on Thursday between the men.

On Friday, Grimmett confronted Kuentz and told him he was unhappy about the meeting and how he had been treated.

Before the manager could even respond, Grimmett pulled out a handgun and began shooting. A witness was in the office at the time and was questioned by police, according to the criminal complaint.

Witnesses later remembered the 49-year-old Grimmett calmly leaving the dealership after the shooing. They said he did not seem unduly troubled by what had happened.

"He walked along like nothing happened - like it didn't bother him," Gibson said.

Grimmett fled but later called authorities, saying he was ready to surrender. But, he wasn't at the meeting place when police arrived.

He was arrested after he called police a second time, authorities said.

Grimmett was taken into custody but police declined to say where the arrest took place.

Gibson said he was thankful no one else was hurt. He said the shooting reminded him of news reports about other episodes of workplace violence he had heard about.

"It's just crazy," he said. "Any one of us could have been killed today."

The shooting left other co-workers puzzled and somber. Many of them know Kuentz and struggled to come grips with the shooting.

"It's bad," said Matt Blyth, who works at another Mac Haik dealership nearby. "Everybody's down."

Gibson, a sales associate, said he didn't know of any problems between the men. He said Kuentz is a good boss and a nice man. The salesman, he added, is a nice person who has been a pleasant co-worker. Grimmett has worked at the dealership for about a year.

"He's regular guy," Gibson said. "He's a good guy. I don't know where this came from."

Grimmett was still being processed at the Harris County Jail later Friday. He will be held without bail.

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