Gunman kills five people at Milwaukee brewery

A 51-year-old brewery worker murders five of his colleagues before shooting himself, police say.

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.
Image: Milwaukee police were called after a man killed five of his colleagues
Why you can trust Sky News

A brewery employee has killed five of his co-workers in the US city of Milwaukee before turning the gun on himself.

The shooting was at the Molson Coors Brewing Co at about 2pm local time on Wednesday.

The campus has more than 20 buildings - a mixture of brewing facilities and corporate offices, with more than 1,000 workers.

Milwaukee's mayor Tom Barrett said: "There were five individuals who went to work today, just like everybody goes to work, and they thought they were going to go to work, finish their day and return to their families.

"They didn't - and tragically they never will."

Police and emergency officials work at an active shooter scene at the Molson Coors headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, February 26, 2020
Image: The US president said the gunman was a "wicked murderer"

Police did not discuss the motive of the 51-year-old male gunman.

Police chief Alfonso Morales said after the shooting: "There is no threat at this time, and we will continue to investigate throughout the night."

More on Wisconsin

Mr Morales said the bloodshed was confined to the Molson Coors facility, and that "no members of the general public were involved".

US President Donald Trump spoke briefly about the shooting ahead of a news conference about the coronavirus, saying: "Our hearts break for (the shooting victims) and their loved ones.

"We send our condolences. We'll be with them, and it's a terrible thing, a terrible thing."

Mr Trump described the gunman as a "wicked murderer".

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.
Image: Milwaukee police said that there is no longer a threat following the shooting

Earlier, on Twitter, the brewery wrote: "There is an active situation at our Milwaukee facility and we are working closely with the Milwaukee Police Department.

"Our top priority is our employees and we'll provide updates in conjunction with the police as we are able."