MILWAUKEE — Nearly one year ago tragedy struck Molson Coors.
Investigators say a gunman shot and killed five employees before turning the gun on himself.
Those employees are Jesus Valle Jr., 33, Gennady "Gene" Levshetz, 61, Trevor Wetselaar, 33, Dana Walk, 57, Dale Hudson, 60.
Authorities say the shooting happened mid-afternoon on Feb. 26, 2020. Tactical law enforcement teams swarmed the campus and employees were told to shelter in place.
Molson Coors Community Affairs Director Tami Garrison was there on that day. She says it was an incredibly tough time for the company, especially as the pandemic emerged just a few weeks later.
Throughout the year the company has offered counseling and other services for employees, and Garrison says the company wants to be supportive of how its employees choose to observe the day.
"I think just acknowledging that everybody is going to feel a little bit differently about Friday, and they are going to look back on that day a little bit differently," Garrison said. "And we as a company want to make sure we are providing the opportunity for everybody to do what is important for them on that day."
On Friday employees can take the day off if they wish. Each shift for each brewery will begin with a moment of silence. In the afternoon, there will be a virtual moment of silence for all employees.
Garrison said Molson Coors worked with the National Compassion Fund to establish the Miller Valley Survivors' Fund, which she said has raised $1.8 million for the families of the victims.
The company put up a memorial in honor of the victims across the street from the campus's visitor center.
"We've been really focused on making sure we're putting our people first, as I mentioned, and really making sure that we’re creating a culture that’s focused around equity and inclusion and empathy. And I think we’ve made a lot of progress towards that," Garrison said. "And I think creating that type of culture and that type of environment helps support being a business where people want to work and where people want to come in the doors every day."
Milwaukee Police told TMJ4 News it has completed its investigation into the shooting, and the motive is unknown. Police identified the shooter as 51-year-old Anthony Ferrill, who neighbors say worked as an electrician for the company for many years.
