This story has been updated 2/26 at 9:39 p.m. ET.
Five people are dead following a mass shooting Wednesday afternoon at the Molson Coors Brewery campus in Milwaukee.
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At a press conference Wednesday evening, Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales confirmed the grim death toll from the shooting but declined to offer additional information about the identities of the dead. He only said that they were all employees at the Molson Coors brewery company, which employs over 1,000 people in Milwaukee. Morales said that there are no additional injuries.
The shooter, a 51-year-old Milwaukee man, was also believed to be dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according Morales. Local news reports suggested that the suspect was a disgruntled employee who’d been fired earlier on Wednesday.
Officials provided no additional information about the shooter or what kind of gun he used.
“This is a tragic day for our city,” Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett told reporters. “This is a time for us to think about those families. Because there were five individuals who went to work today just like everyone goes to work, and they thought they were gonna go to work, finish their day, and return to their families. They didn’t, and tragically, they never will.”
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers held a moment of silence. Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes also spoke.
“We’re here on the scene of another American tragedy, another senseless American tragedy. One that shouldn’t have to happen, but unfortunately it’s in our backyard,” Barnes said. “We shouldn’t accept this, and we should never grow comfortable in the face of these repeated tragedies.”
Milwaukee Police said earlier they responded to a “critical incident” at the campus shortly after 2 p.m.
Video footage of the scene earlier on Wednesday showed a massive police presence, including armored vehicles, tactical officers, police tape and other emergency units. Federal agents from ATF were also on site.
According to Molson Coors’ website, its campus is a gun free zone and concealed carry weapons are not allowed on site.
Nearby high schools were also placed on lockdown.
President Donald Trump also addressed the shooting at the start of a press conference about the coronavirus earlier. “Earlier today a wicked murderer opened fire at a Molson Coors Brewery Co. plant, taking the lives of five people,” he said. “Our hearts break for them and their loved ones. We send our condolences.”
