9 dead in Manchester coworker massacre

Manchester, Conn. (WTNH) - Police in Manchester say 34-year-old Omar Thornton of Enfield opened fire at Hartford Distributors, where he worked, at around 7:30 Tuesday morning. He killed eight people and then turned the gun on himself.

Two others were also injured following the shooting at Hartford Distributors at 131 Chapel Road. 

Names of two of the victims were released Tuesday night. Bryan Cirigliano, 51, of Newington and Victor James, 59, of South Windsor. Mr. Cirigliano was president of Teamsters Local 1035. He was present during the disciplinary hearing. 

Omar Thornton arrived at the building at 7am for a scheduled meeting with the company and union officials. He was asked to resign after he was caught on tape stealing beer from the facility. John Hollis, a spokesman for the union, says Thornton was a driver at the company and had been employed there for about a year. 

The first 911 calls reporting the shooting were placed around 7:30am.

At a 5pm press conference, Manchester Police Chief Marc Montminy says they believe that the weapon used was a handgun.

“We believe that the handgun was used but we’re not prepared to describe the weapon at this time.”

Thornton was being escorted from the building when the gunfire started. The victims were located in various spots around the complex.

“There was a disciplinary conference prior to the shooting. I do not know what the results of the disciplinary conference were. We believe that he was offered an opportunity to quit or be terminated and while being led from the facility, that’s when the shooting erupted."

Police say Thornton was alive when they first responded to the complex. They did not fire any shots and they don't know yet how many shots the gunman let off.

In a statement, Manchester police said the suspected shooter was located by police "inside of the building and deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound."

As for the names of the other victims, Police Chief Montminy stated: “At this time we are not prepared to release the names of the victims. We still need time to make sure that family has been updated before we give the names to the press.”

Officers from the state police bomb squad searched the gunman's car and the building for any explosives. A small fire also started in the building, adding to the chaotic situation. State police tell News 8 that the investigation could take two to three days.

According to Hartford Hospital, three of the shooting victims were taken to their emergency room. One was pronounced dead at the hospital, one has been treated and released and one is still hospitalized in serious condition.

About 50 to 70 people were in the warehouse because it was a shift change, said Brett Hollander, the director of marketing at Hartford Distributors.

Hollander's cousin, a vice president at the company, was shot in the arm and the face, Hollander said, but he thought he would be OK. It was not clear if he was among the victims taken to Hartford Hospital. Hollander, whose family owns the distributor, said he did not know the shooter well and didn't know how long he had worked there.

Employees were bussed over to Manchester High School Tuesday morning where family members met up with them.

A hotline has been set up for family, friends, and others who've been impacted by the Manchester massacre. Anyone looking for information can call 860-645-5521.

The company is a beer and ale distributor that has been in business for more than 60 years. The owners of the company released the following statement:

“Everyone at Hartford Distributors is devastated by this morning’s tragic and senseless act. Our focus right now is on the families and making sure that we get the accurate information. Information is still being confirmed and we will release that information as it becomes available.”

Gov. Jodi Rell issued the following statement on the tragedy:

“My hearts and prayers go out to the employees and families of the victims. In the wake of this tragedy, we are all left asking the same questions: How could someone do this? Why did they do this? It was a senseless act of violence that has left us all shaken and reminds us just how precious and fragile life truly is.”