Washington

At least five people were killed Wednesday during an active shooter situation at the Molson Coors beer brewing company's headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, President Donald Trump confirmed. 

Speaking at a White House press briefing on efforts to tackle the deadly novel coronavirus, Trump said a "wicked murderer" opened fire at the plant, taking the lives of five people.

According to law enforcement officials, the suspected gunman is a former employee who was recently fired.

"It’s a terrible thing, and our hearts go out to the people of Wisconsin," said Trump, offering his condolences to the victims' families.   

Earlier, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that seven people were dead, including the shooter, following the shooting rampage at the Milwaukee campus of Molson Coors.

Milwaukee police asked people nearby to stay clear of the area.  

On Twitter, the police described the scene as active and as a critical incident around 2:30 p.m. EST.