© 2024 Milwaukee Public Media is a service of UW-Milwaukee's College of Letters & Science
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Milwaukee Police ID Molson Coors Shooting Suspect And Victims

Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images
: A view of a sign above one of the Molson Coors campus buildings following a shooting on February 26, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Updated Friday at 2:37 p.m. CT

Milwaukee learned more late Thursday afternoon about the fatal shootings Wednesday on the campus of Molson Coors — still thought of by many as Miller Valley. Milwaukee police released the names of victims and the suspect, who’s believed to have killed the five men before turning the gun on himself.

A hushed battalion of journalists waited inside the Milwaukee Police Department Administration Building on West State Street for the update.

Public information officer lieutenant Erik Gulbrandson laid the ground rules. “Once the statement it done, they will leave and then we will give you the press release with all of the information so there will be no questions at this time,” Gulbrandson says.

Then Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales entered the room. “We’re here today because six families lost their loved ones,” Morales says.

Morales kept his comments brief, identifying 51-year-old Anthony Ferrill as the suspected shooter.

“He was a current employee of Molson Coors at the time of this incident.  Reasons for this of why this transpired is still under investigation and we don’t have that for you,” Morales says.

Next, Morales moved respectfully to the five victims — all men who worked at Molson Coors:

  • Jesus Valle Jr., 33-year-old resident of Milwaukee
  • Gennady (Gene) Levshetz, 61-year-old resident of Mequon
  • Trevor Wetselaar, 33-year-old resident of Milwaukee
  • Dana Walk, 57-year-old resident of Delafield
  • Dale Hudson, 60-year-old resident of Waukesha

Molson Coors President and CEO Gavin Hattersley appeared grief stricken as he followed Morales at the lectern. Hattersley described the men who were killed.

Credit Susan Bence
Molson Coors President and CEO Gavin Hattersley speaking at a press conference Thursday.

“They were powerhouse operators, they were machinists and they were electricians.  But most importantly, they were husbands, they were fathers and they were friends.  They were part of the fabric of our company and our community.” Hattersley adds, “We will miss them terribly.”

READ: Vigil Attendees Attempt To Process Tragedy Of Molson Coors Shooting

Mayor Tom Barrett’s comments were even more brief, calling the the incident a sudden, tragic, and unbelievable loss of life.

As he turned to leave, Barrett was asked about rumors that the fatal incident might have been racially motivated.

Anthony Ferrill was African American. Conversation on social media alleged he had been harassed by at least one fellow Molson Coors employee.

“Right now there’s an investigation going on. I think it’s premature to speculate on anything.  I think this is the time to grieve and to support the families.  I’m sure there will be time in the future to talk about many things involving this investigation,” Barrett says.

Milwaukee policeissued a press release. It reiterated, “This is an ongoing investigation and there are no further details available at this time.”

On Friday, Anthony Ferrill's family released this statement:

"Our family feels terrible sadness and heartache over the tragic incident at Molson Coors and devastating loss to the Milwaukee community. We are shocked and dismayed to learn of the apparent involvement and death of our family member. We sincerely extend our sympathy, compassion and prayers to the victims and families who lost their loved ones."

Editor's note: At the press conference, Chief Morales said Gene Levshetz was 51 years old, he was actually 61. Morales also said Dale Hudson was 50 years old, he was 60.

Susan is WUWM's environmental reporter.
Ann-Elise is WUWM's news director.
Related Content