A tragic example of how money and emotions make a bad combo for all involved was discovered recently. Earlier this week an investor apparently shot himself and three others after losing nearly a half a million on a failed real estate venture.

February 13th was a sad and solemn day for the offices ZigZag Net Inc., a marketing company in Philadelphia’s Old Navy Yard. The night before Vincent Dortch, furious about the loss he and two other colleagues had taken from a failed startup, fabricated an investor’s meeting at ZigZag and concluded by shooting those whom he held responsible for the loss, not short of telling them to say their prayers.

Zigzag’s CEO, Mark Norris, was among the dead.

… our beloved friend, colleague and leader, President and CEO, Mark David Norris, was fatally wounded, and “the most friendly guy you’ll ever meet,” our Human Resources Manager, Patrick Sweeney, was critically wounded.

Police identified the three victims as Robert Norris, 41, of Newark, DE; Mark Norris, 46, of Pilesgrove, NJ.; and James Reif, 42, of Endicott, NY.

The failed venture was an investment in Watson International, which according to their website, had plans to convert the former IBM Corporate Gateway Resort in Binghamton, NY into a “World Class Entertainment and Banquest Facility.”

Watson bought the property, formerly known as the Traditions at the Glen, about a year ago for $1.33 million from a company that had bought it from IBM. Robert Norris, is listed as the Vice President of Business Development and is also the brother of Mark Norris.

The extent of Dortch’s claimed losses is thought to be around $500,000.

And what a tragic loss.

(…No, I’m not talking about the money)

Found via [PennLive]