Former Tesla Employee Sues Automaker After Alleged Assault by Mass Shooting Suspect

A former Tesla Inc. employee has filed a lawsuit against the automaker, alleging she was assaulted by a co-worker at Gigafactory Texas who later became a suspect in a mass shooting in Austin. Lillian Mendoza Brady filed the suit Thursday in state district court in Travis County.

Brady claims that Ndiaga Diagne, then a Tesla employee, assaulted her without provocation in December during a company-allowed prayer break.

She alleges that Tesla Inc. failed to provide a safe work environment and did not adequately monitor common areas or supervise sanctioned activities. Additionally, Brady claims Tesla withheld Diagne's identity from her following the incident.

Identity Revealed After Austin Shooting

Brady stated she only learned Diagne's identity after he was identified in news media as the suspect in a mass shooting that occurred early Sunday in downtown Austin. Diagne was later shot and killed by Austin police, and the FBI is investigating the shooting as a possible act of terrorism.

Uncovering Prior Behavior

Brady's attorney, Bob Hilliard, indicated the lawsuit seeks to determine what Tesla knew about Diagne's behavior prior to the alleged assault.

Hilliard stated that if Tesla had information regarding Diagne's violent behavior and failed to act, the assault might have been prevented and could have served as an early warning.

Court records from 2022 show a judge in Bexar County found Diagne had a "history or pattern of committing family violence" and granted his ex-wife sole custody of their two sons, allowing Diagne supervised visitation. Diagne was also arrested in Texas in 2022 in connection with a vehicle collision.

Lawsuit's Demands and Damages

Brady's lawsuit accuses Tesla of failing to warn staff about "dangerous personnel" and to enforce safety rules at Gigafactory Texas.

She is seeking monetary relief exceeding $1 million. This sum covers damages for physical pain, mental anguish, lost wages, physical impairment, and medical expenses. The lawsuit also demands that Tesla preserve all evidence related to the alleged assault. Tesla has not commented on the lawsuit.