Beer distributor owner: We're a family

Manchester, Conn. (WTNH) - Fighting back tears, the president of Hartford Distributors held an emotional press conference Thursday afternoon, two days after a disgruntled employee opened fire at the company's Manchester facility, killing 8 employees.

Ross Hollander, whose family founded Hartford Distributors, was surrounded by employees during his statement. He went through the names of the men who were killed Tuesday morning, giving a brief biography of each, as well as a few personal anecdotes.

"Francis Fazio never had trouble with anybody," he said. "Billy Ackerman had a key to my house. If you're hanging off a cliff on a rope, he's the guy you want on the other end."

Hollander called the men who died family, not just statistics.

"It is important you know the victims of this tragedy are more than statistics, they are cherished friends and family members who have been wrenched from out lives, never to be replaced," he said. "While this has been a tragedy of epic proportions, we remain a strong and close team."

Hollander also spoke about the gunman, Omar Thornton, a truck driver who was asked to resign from the company right before he started shooting.

"We conducted a fair and thorough investigation which concluded that Omar was stealing beer from the company and selling it to third parties," he said.

Ross' uncle, Steve Hollander, who is vice president of the company, was one of those in the meeting with Thornton and also one of the first men shot. He is recovering from his injuries.

Listen to Steve Hollander's 9-1-1 call.

Hollander also went on to say that the company was not aware of any racial harassment, as Thornton's family has asserted.

"No such claims have ever been brought to the attention of the company," Hollander said. "Nevertheless the allegations have been raised and the company will cooperate with any investigation."

After his shooting rampage, Thorton turned the gun on himself.

The company's Manchester facility has been effectively shut down since the shooting as police conduct their investigation. Hollander said the hope is to reopen sometime next week. Police were finishing up gathering evidence at the scene Thursday.