Molson Coors conference in Houston cut short after deadly shooting at Milwaukee headquarters

Jessica Willey Image
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Molson Coors meeting in Houston cut short after shooting
"This is the saddest day that we have had," said Gavin Hattersley, CEO of Molson Coors.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The Molson Coors beer-brewing company was forced to cut short a conference in Houston on Wednesday after receiving news of a deadly shooting that happened at its Milwaukee headquarters.

Employees were at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston for the conference, which was being held for distributors.

At least eight people were injured in the mass shooting at company's facility. The gunman, who was reportedly a disgruntled employee, is dead, police told ABC News.

READ MORE: Milwaukee shooting at Molson Coors leaves fatalities, injuries, mayor says; shooter dead

ABC13 learned the conference included a mix of employees as well as distributors from across the country.

It was a three-day conference that began on Monday. A reception that was planned after the conference was cancelled along with other events.

CEO Gavin Hattersley addressed attendees making them aware of the shooting and then reportedly flew back to Milwaukee.

"He just came out and released a statement and he was on his way back to Milwaukee, obviously, to get back to the brewery," a distributor told ABC13. "It's obviously something that's heartbreaking."