According to authorities, on Wednesday afternoon a worker of the brewery in Milwaukee shot and killed five employees and then killed himself.
The arrows in Molson Coors was armed with two pistols — one of them was with the muffler, which is legal in Wisconsin. The staff said that the shooting sounded «distant».
BREAKING: The Molson Coors gunman was armed with two handguns — one with a silencer, which is legal in Wisconsin.
A silencer was also used in the workplace mass shooting last year in Virginia Beach. Employees said it made the sound of distant gunfire. #wileg https://t.co/qReykBeyWw
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) February 27, 2020
Police in Milwaukee responded to the call received from the brewery about 14:08 local time. In connection with the «critical situation», all schools in the area were closed and residents of apartment buildings were asked to stay away from the brewery.
Six people dead, including gunman, in shooting the Molson Coors brewery in US Milwaukeehttps://t.co/SajrGOzpKF
— Zee News (@ZeeNews) February 27, 2020
Police, Marquette University responded to the shooting with the police of the city. The Chicago office of the Bureau of alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives also arrived on the scene.
MPD is investigating a critical incident in the 4000 block of W. State Street. Please stay clear of the area at this time.
— Milwaukee Police (@MilwaukeePolice) February 26, 2020
Brewing town, consisting of 20 buildings, located in the 4000 block of West State St., about two miles West of downtown Milwaukee. It is called 165-year-old Miller brewing company.
The #MillerCoors facility in Milwaukee is a sprawling campus known as «Miller Valley» — includes the historic «Miller Caves», massive warehouses, corporate offices and the brewery.
Sources telling @JermontTerry the shooting is in the production plant.@cbschicago pic.twitter.com/wopRup84NH
— Chris Tye (@TVTye) February 26, 2020
CEO of Molson Coors Gavin Hattersley said the shooter was their employee. But the motive, on which he opened fire on his colleagues, had not yet been installed.
Five people have been killed in a mass shooting at Molson Coors brewing facility in Milwaukee on Wednesday.
“It’s a terrible day for Milwaukeeans,” said Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales https://t.co/xI14qn8xkD pic.twitter.com/0UBidoddiG
— TIME (@TIME) February 27, 2020
Journalist Matthew Keys, citing law enforcement agencies in Milwaukee says that the shooter is 51-year-old Anthony Ferrell, a worker with 20 years of experience.
#BREAKING: Law enforcement source confirms to me gunman involved in today’s mass shooting in Milwaukee, WI is 51-year-old Anthony Ferrill. pic.twitter.com/TZXA9W7HSt
— Matthew Keys (@MatthewKeysLive) February 27, 2020
#BREAKING: First photos of Anthony Ferrill, 51-year-old gunman in today’s mass shooting at Molson Coors / MillerCoors campus in #Milwaukee pic.twitter.com/oclzrBgj0f
— Matthew Keys (@MatthewKeysLive) February 27, 2020
#BREAKING: Another exclusive photo of 51-year-old Anthony Ferrill, gunman in today’s mass shooting in Milwaukee. This photo was taken last May. Law enforcement source said he was a 20+ year employee at MillerCoors / Molson Coors. pic.twitter.com/H5XziIoVZi
— Matthew Keys (@MatthewKeysLive) February 27, 2020
A few hours after the shooting, police continued to search more than 20 buildings on the campus of Molson Coors, which employs around 1,000 people. Later in the evening some workers could not leave the complex until police finish their search, and allow workers to go home.
«It’s frightening, ‘said representative Gwen Moore, a Democrat in Milwaukee County. Is anathema to the culture that we expect. It’s heartbreaking, because Milwaukee is a very friendly city.»
«This is a tragic day for our city, — said the mayor of Milwaukee Tom Barrett. — This is a tragic day for our state».
«I would like to Express my deep condolences to the victims and families in Milwaukee, Wisconsin», — said the President of Donald trump.
As the New York Times, the shooting was the latest in a series of mass killings in American workplaces. Twelve months ago at the suburban plant in Chicago, 115 miles from the scene of the crime in Milwaukee, a disgruntled employee, fired, killed five other employees. In may last year in Virginia beach city employee who quits his job, began firing and killed 12 people.
«We should not accept that it should not be, — said the Lieutenant-Governor Mandela Barnes, a Democrat, who noted that in recent years in Wisconsin there have been several mass shootings. — We should never relax in the face of these recurring tragedies across America».
In the Roman Catholic Church located nearby, the American Red Cross was preparing to host people affected by the shooting.
State Senator La Tonya Johnson, a Democrat, in the district of which is a Molson Coors said that this object was a source of pride in Milwaukee. The company, known to many in the area under its former name MillerCoors continued to invest in the city and pay competitive wages.
For $ 10, visitors could tour the complex, including its famous beer cave and try his drinks.
In October, Molson Coors announced that it is closing its office in Denver and puts some jobs in Milwaukee that is part of a plan of corporate restructuring that is expected to result in the loss of 400-500 jobs in the company.
Although many details of the shooting remain unknown, some local and national Democrats said it demonstrates the need for stricter gun laws.
«We don’t have to live with this constant fear and grief, — said in Twitter, the Senator from Massachusetts Elizabeth Warren. — We need to act now to end the epidemic of violence with a weapon».
