Larson Honors Victims of Manchester Violence

Congressman Larson led the U.S. House of Representatives in a moment of silence today in honor of the eight workers from Hartford Distributors who were murdered on the job last week in Manchester.
The moment is preceeded by Larson speaking for a few minutes about what happened and reading the names of those who were killed in that terrible violence, including Francis Fazio Sr. of Bristol.
Here's the link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udqUYyYPqJ4

Mayor's Brother-in-law Escaped Carnage

Mayor Art Ward told me just now that his brother-in-law, who was a truck driver at Hartford Distributors, escaped with his life Tuesday.
When his co-worker Omar Thornton started shooting as Thornton was reportedly being escorted from the building early Tuesday, the mayor's brother-in-law was only about a telephone pole's length away, Ward said.
"He escaped yesterday by jumping out a window," said Ward, with four others. "He saw him coming and he got out of there."
Ward, who used to be a salesman for Alan S. Goodman -- a competitor of Hartford Distributors -- said he knew four of the men who died in the shooting.
He'd met them on the road, Ward said, while they were all working, and sometimes, they socialized together. A couple of them attended a stag party for Ward's son, he said, adding that the friendships "go back a long time."
Ward estimated that only about four or five people from Bristol work at the Manchester company.
The mayor said he hasn't had much of a chance to talk with his brother-in-law since the horror.
"We're just grateful that my brother-in-law is fine."
Unless I speak with the brother-in-law, I'm not using his name.

Bristol's Francis Fazio a Victim

I just heard confirmation from Bristol Mayor Art Ward that Francis Fazio, Sr. of Wolcott St. died in the shooting at Hartford Distributors in Manchester on Tuesday.
The mayor said he knew Mr. Fazio a little bit, though not well.
"It's really a shame," he said.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Fazio's family and friends and all of those hurt by this rampage.

Bristol Victim of Manchester Shooting?

The heartbreak in Manchester may have reached Bristol.
Our police reporter, Lisa Backus, is working on a local story about the terrible shootings at Hartford Distributors in Manchester. The word is that a Francis Fazio, Sr., who lives on Wolcott Street, was one of those killed.
I hope it's not true, but if anyone has any information they can share, please let me know at jmajerus@bristolpress.com and I will pass it along to her. I will update as I get information.

The Shooting at Hartford Distributors

While we at The Bristol Press don't cover Manchester, I'm sure everyone is paying some attention to the terrible loss of life in the workplace shootings at Hartford Distributors today. I don't have anything to add to the story other than my own thought that it is horrible and probably reminds us all of the Connecticut Lottery killings. But Bristol's congressman, John Larson of East Hartford, has a big district that includes Manchester and he has a personal connection to the Hollander family. Larson was at the scene this morning and released these comments this afternoon:


"First of all, I send my deepest condolences to the Hollander family and the employees of Hartford Distributors affected by today's events. I am fortunate to call Ross Hollander a close, personal friend and over the years, I have gotten to know many of the great employees of the company. I visited the site earlier today to offer my support. This is a day or emotions no person, family, or loved one should have to experience.

“The Hollander family and the workers of Hartford Distributors have donated to our local charities and provided their time to bettering our state. I ask that we all be there for them during this critical time. My heart is with the deceased, the Hollander family and all those affected by this morning's tragedy.”