Molson Coors Breaks Silence On Shooter Harassment Report

MILWAUKEE, WI — Roughly a week after 51-year-old Anthony Ferrill shot and killed five Molson Coors employees before taking his own life, few details have emerged detailing why Ferrill did it. A Molson Coors spokesperson confirmed this week that Ferrill experienced racial harassment while on the job a number of years ago, however there is no indication that was a motive and police on Wednesday issued a statement saying racism was not a motivating factor in the shooting.

Ferrill Suffered Harassment, Molson Coors Says

On March 3, a corporate spokesperson for Molson Coors broke the silence regarding the shooting, detailing some of what Ferrill went through at the company prior to the shooting. The company's statement comes after two former co-workers spoke with the Journal Sentinel about Ferrill's work history and the harassment that happened at Molson Coors.

"We know there was an incident with a noose found on a locker in 2015," a Molson Coors spokesperson told Milwaukee Patch on Wednesday afternoon. "The employee was not working that day, our HR team notified him of the incident, it was investigated fully, no camera footage was available to show who placed it on the locker, we offered HR and security services to the employee, we talked to the brewery leadership team in Milwaukee about the issue and we ensured everyone knew about our confidential paths to share discrimination or harassment complaints. And while we have not, do not and will not tolerate any form of discrimination, and we will continue working to ensure we have the kind of open, welcoming environment our company believes deeply in."

Molson Coors also told Milwaukee Patch their company needs to get better at making their workplace more inclusive for everybody.

"But there’s no two ways about it. We have more work to do. Fostering an inclusive and welcoming workplace is something every organization has to work towards each day, and we aren’t going to shy away from our responsibility to take a deep look at our own culture," a company spokesperson told Milwaukee Patch on Wednesday.

Mayor Urging Police To Say More

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has been urging the police chief, Alfonso Morales, to release more information about Ferrill's motives and background, The Journal Sentinel reported.

They have not been forthcoming so far, the report stated.

"When I spoke to the chief this morning, I emphasized to him and to others how important it is for us to get whatever information we can out as quickly as we can, at the same time being very respectful of the families who have been devastated by the worst incident they have ever experienced in their entire life," Barrett told the paper.

How To Help

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Continuing Coverage

• These Are The 5 Men Who Died In The Molson Coors Shooting
• 5 Dead At Milwaukee Headquarters
• 'My Prayers Are With The Victims'
• Milwaukee Businesses Fundraising For Families Of Shooting Victims
• Molson Coors Shooting Is Wisconsin's 11th In Last Two Decades
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Shooter's Family Devastated

Members of Ferrill's family have refused to come forward to talk about him, and what he might have been going through prior to the shooting. Earlier this week, they released a statement through an attorney, as reported by WTMJ:

"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. Our family does not intend to make any further statements or conduct interviews, and we please ask the media and others to respect our privacy and allow us space to mourn and heal."