Workers at SiPort are trying to get back to some semblance of normalcy after the violent deaths of three colleagues, including the CEO, in their Santa Clara office.
We reported in August that iBiquity had certified SiPort’s IC — a single chipset solution for HD Radio tuners. SiPort recently shipped the SP1010, a low-cost, low-power consumption chip.
Police told the San Jose Mercury News that former SiPort employee Jing Hua Wu shot and killed three top officials last Friday, Nov. 14, including CEO Sid Agrawal and executives Marilyn Lewis, human resources manager and Brian Pugh, vice president of operations.
Police have charged Jing Hua Wu with three counts of murder, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
The company’s board appointed co-founder of the four-year-old company and vice president of engineering Aiman Kabakibo as chief executive.
My own efforts to get in touch with the company haven’t been successful; I was stunned and saddened when I heard the news; I had met with the SiPort folks at CES in January.
One radio engineer in touch with the company told me this is “a tragic loss for broadcasters.”
In a statement, iBiquity said: “We are shocked and saddened by the tragic deaths at SiPort. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sid, Brian and Marilyn’s families and colleagues.”
SiPort has established a memorial fund for the victims of the fatal shootings with the agreement of the bereaved families. Funds raised will go toward supporting charitable causes identified by the victim’s families. Checks should be made out to Silicon Valley Community Foundation, noting “SiPort Memorial Fund” in the memo line and mailed to 3255 Scott Boulevard, Santa Clara, CA 95054.
