WISCONSIN: At least five people were killed when a fired employee, 51 at Milwaukee’s MillerCoors HQ opened fire at his former colleagues with a handgun fitted silencer prior to killing himself on Wednesday.

Authorities responded to reports of an active shooting at MillerCoors in Milwaukee and police confirmed that six people including the shooter are dead.

The 51-year-old gunman was found dead at the scene in an apparent suicide after killing five of his former colleagues in the place.

According to the police, at least 1,000 people work at the complex, which includes offices and brewing facilities.

CEO Hattersley said in a statement: ‘Unfortunately, I am devastated to share that we lost five other members of our family in this tragic incident. There are no words to express the deep sadness many of us are feeling right now.’

He said the office would be closed the rest of the week and the brewery shuttered ‘for the time being’ to give people time to cope.

(With inputs from agencies)