What we know about the Berea bank employees shot, killed during robbery
Support is coming in through social media and fundraisers after two people were shot and killed at a bank in Berea Thursday.
The shooting happened around 2 p.m. at the U.S. Bank on Chestnut Street in Berea. Federal court documents say Brailen Weaver, 18, walked into the bank and shot a man, then shot a teller shortly afterward.
Kentucky State Police Trooper Justin Kearney said the victims were Breanna Edwards, 35, of Madison County, and Brian Switzer, 42, of Jessamine County. Madison County Coroner Jimmy Cornelison said one of the victims was pronounced dead at the bank while the other died at Saint Joseph Berea Hospital.
They were both employees of the bank, according to Kentucky State Police. Cheryl Leamon, the senior vice president of U.S. Bank, said they were sad to learn of what happened.
“Our hearts go out to the families of the victims, our colleagues and the entire Berea community,” Leamon said in a statement. “We are committed to supporting the victims’ families and our colleagues.”
Weaver was arrested Friday morning sometime after a police chase that ended in Lexington. He was identified as the suspect through the vehicle he fled in and social media posts, according to court documents.
Here is what we know about Switzer and Edwards.
Brian Switzer
Switzer had a wife and three children, according to a GoFundMe webpage created for his family. Switzer was the sole provider for the family.
As of 11:45 a.m. Friday, the GoFundMe had raised almost $2,000 with a goal of collecting $10,000.
“No family should ever have to go through this kind of turmoil and the goal of this GoFundMe is to assist Rachel with funds so that she doesn’t have to stress about financial issues during the most difficult time of her life,” said Rebecca Carpenter, who helped create the fundraiser. “Brian will be missed sorely by everyone that knew him.”
Rob Young, who said he used to work with Switzer on Facebook, described Switzer as “a genuinely good guy.”
“I feel for his wife and kids and I feel for everyone that knew him,” Young said on Facebook. “Being around him just made you want to do better.”
Breanna Edwards
Overflow Coffee Co., a coffee shop in Berea, said Edwards was a loyal customer at the shop. The coffee shop described Edwards as “a literal ray of sunshine” in a Facebook post.
“She was kind, thoughtful, and so encouraging to me in my early days of business,” the coffee shop said in the post. “She is truly someone who impacted me in a huge way.”
Tyler Cox, who said Edwards was his best friend in a Facebook post, said Edwards was “a beautiful person and an even better friend.”
“We have so many memories together; sneaking into her dorm, playing cards with your family, countless movies and dinners, laughs, tears, late night conversations, the list is endless but yet it doesn’t seem long enough,” Cox said on Facebook. “I will spend the rest of my life wishing that I could make more with you and think of the things I could say to you.”
The coffee shop is collecting money to support Edwards’ husband and family as they process her death. Anyone wanting to donate can give money to the shop’s trailer, on Venmo at @ANipp88 or Cash App at $AmberN1226.
“For anyone that would like to donate, you can bring cash to the trailer, or you can send electronically,” the coffee shop said on Facebook.
