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Live video captures the aftermath of a mass shooting at Molson Coors in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. You can watch the live news reports from the scene throughout this story.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting that at least seven people, including the shooter, are dead. However, officials later said six people died, including the shooter, Anthony Ferrill. The mass shooting broke out at Molson Coors on the afternoon of February 26, 2020.
You can learn more about the 5 victims here.
Governor Tony Evers asked for a moment of silence. He said the “hearts of the people of Wisconsin go out to the folks who were needlessly murdered.” He said he and the First Lady would pray for the “lives that have been lost… it’s a tragedy for the entire state of Wisconsin. Wisconsin is a strong state.”
Journalist Jermont Terry wrote on Twitter, “My Milwaukee Police sources confirm the shooter at Miller Coors was fired earlier today. Then returned with silencer on gun and opened fire. At least 5 were shot dead. The gunman appeared to have stole name tag of another employee when he returned to work with gun.”
Here’s a live stream video:
“Update regarding the critical incident that occurred on the 4100 block of West State Street. There is no active threat; however, this scene is still an active,” Milwaukee police wrote. The mayor said authorities are making a sweep of the building.
WTMJ-TV reported that officers with tactical gear were at the scene in the back of the plant’s headquarters.
Milwaukee police are dealing with the unfolding situation and wrote, “MPD is investigating a critical incident in the 4000 block of W. State Street. Please stay clear of the area at this time.”
WISN-TV reported that the shooter is “was a former MillerCoors employee.” ABC News reported that no one has been brought to Froedtert Hospital, the major trauma center, from the scene. That doesn’t bode well in terms of whether there are people with survivable injuries.
Chief Alfonso Morales said it was an active and fluid scene, but there was no longer a threat. At 2:08 p.m., Milwaukee police responded to a call of a shooting at the Molson Coors company. Most Milwaukee residents know it as the Miller Brewery. The suspect was a 51 year old Milwaukee man dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Five additional deceased adult victims were found at the scene. All worked at Molson Coors. No members of the general public were involved. The identities were not yet being released to the public.
No other people were injured. The Molson Coors executive team was all out of state and is on its way back. “It’s a terrible day for Milwaukeeans,” said Morales, passing on his condolences.
Over 1,000 employees were working when this occurred.
Chief Morales said in a second news conference that the suspect was an employee and was found in a building. The victims were located inside the same building and worked for Molson Coors.
“We’re a family here and at Molson coors in Milwaukee, and this is an unthinkable tragedy for us,” a top Molson Coors official, Gavin Hattersley, said.
Mayor Tom Barrett said “this is a tragic day for our city. A tragic day for our state. Five families, six families actually, are grieving and will be grieving because of this horrific act of this individual. This is a time for us to think of those families because there are five individuals who went to work today, just like everyone goes to work, and they thought they were going to go to work and finish their day and return to their families… and tragically they never will.” He called it an “unspeakable tragedy” and a “community tragedy.”
Here’s video showing the massive police response at the scene.
Lt. Gov Mandela Barnes said it was the 11th mass shooting in Wisconsin since 2004. He called it another “senseless American tragedy.” He said the victims were just people trying to “make an honest living.”
Gavin Hattersley, CEO, Molson Coors Beverage Company, released this statement: “Earlier today we received news of an active shooter on our Milwaukee Brewery campus. The police have since confirmed the shooter, who was an active brewery employee, is now deceased. There is no longer an active threat and our employees are in the process of being released to go home to their families.”
The statement continued, “Unfortunately, I am devastated to share that we lost five other members of our family in this tragic incident. The police are still working to notify their relatives, so I am unable to provide more information at this time. There are no words to express the deep sadness many of us are feeling right now. The most important thing is that we support and care for each other. We ask that everyone be respectful of how our colleagues in Milwaukee are feeling during this incredibly difficult time and do what you can to be supportive. Please hold your family members tight tonight and keep the families of our fallen teammates in your thoughts.”
Schools in the area were locked down. ATF Chicago wrote on Twitter, “BREAKING: ATF (Milwaukee, WI Field Office) is responding to the scene of an active shooter at the MillerCoors Building in Milwaukee, WI.”
Milwaukee police are responding to what they are calling a “critical incident” on the Molson Coors Brewing Co. campus amid reports of a possible shooting. t.co/01sDJiHAbT
ABC News reported that the incident was in the Molson Coors headquarters. People were starting to get their cars out of the parking garage.
Police scanner audio shows that the incident came in as an active shooter incident. The initial report came in as one person shot. It was “not confirmed as a safe scene,” per the initial dispatcher audio, which is archived by Broadcastify.