Before returning to work on Wednesday, employees of Hartford Distributors paused to remember eight of their colleagues who were killed last week in a shooting rampage at the Manchester beer distribution company.
Employees met in the parking lot at 7 a.m. and observed a moment of silence in the parking lot. Hartford Distributors President Ross Hollander offered words of encouragement to his employees.
Omar Thornton, an HDI truck driver, shot and killed eight of his co-workers after being forced to resign over stealing beer.
Thornton had just come from a meeting with his managers when he pulled a gun from a lunchbox and opened fire.
The beer distribution company had remained closed ever since.
"Everyone at Hartford Distributors appreciates the understanding and tremendous outpouring of support from our customers and the entire community as we resume deliveries," Hollander said. The Hollander family is humbled by the generosity and kindness we have received from so many people, including those who we may never know."
Thornton's family held a private memorial service for him Tuesday at a Hartford funeral home.
