‘He wanted these two to be the targets': Roundy’s shooter targeted victims, no motive found
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Investigators interviewed hundreds of people and dug through backgrounds, but why did 41-year-old Fraron Cornelius walk in to the place he worked for two decades and killed coworkers? It’s a question that may never be answered.
“There’s no indication from anyone we talked to that there was any problem between the employees,” said Captain Frank McElderry with the Waukesha Sheriff’s Department. “We did backgrounds, checked discipline files.”
Investigators say Cornelius worked with the victims, 39-year-old Kevin Schneider and 51-year-old Kevin Kloth for 20 years.
“He knew both victims very well,” Capt. McElderry said.
Police reviewed video from inside the warehouse. The two men were the shot in different parts of the massive building. Cornelius didn’t fire at anyone else.
“We believe that for whatever reason, he wanted these two to be the targets,” Capt. McElderry said. “We don’t know if it was preplanned, target of opportunity but he did walk by a number of people in between.”
During the investigation hundreds of witnesses, along with friends and family of the suspect and victims were interviewed. Police did not say how Cornelius got the gun.
Capt. McElderry says investigators dug through Cornelius’ background and social media pages and exhausted every possible lead.
“He was going through a hard time with his family, with his mother being ill, we don’t know if that was a driver for this,” Capt. McElderry said.
Capt. McElderry says the victims’ families were notified about the case closure, and he adds if any new information comes to light, they will reopen the investigation.
CBS 58 did request the investigation files, squad cam video and body cam video. The Waukesha Sheriff’s Department says it is processing the request and will release the information soon.
Thomas Bennett, the secretary-treasurer for Teamsters Local 200, which all three men were members, sent CBS 58 the following statement:
“With the respect to Families of the March 16, 2021 tragedy that occurred at the Roundy’s Oconomowoc Distribution Center, our thoughts and prayers for the Families continue each hour of each day. There is not a moment of the day that goes by where we cannot block out or accept this senseless act. The recent acts of workplace violence that have occurred in our communities and across the nation reignites our emotions immediately. Although the Police investigation is complete, the healing process is distant from any closure.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and we must come to terms that a crisis in our everyday world exists. We must encourage each other to recognize the signs and educate each other on mental wellness
A Roundy’s Oconomowoc Distribution Center Victims and Survivors Fund has been set up through GoFund.com and Teamsters Local 200 encourages a donation from the heart for these Families.”
Roundy’s also commented on the closure of the case, telling CBS 58, “We greatly appreciate the efforts of the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Oconomowoc Police Department in their investigation of the Roundy’s Distribution Center tragedy of March 16, 2021. While no clear motive for the horrific events could be determined, we are deeply grateful for law enforcement’s exhaustive investigation. We also want to thank all who supported us with their incredible kindness in the wake of this tragic event. The outpouring of support has been unprecedented.
The Kroger Co. and Roundy’s continues to support those affected by this tragedy. The National Compassion Fund established the Roundy’s Oconomowoc Distribution Center Victims and Survivors’ Fund, which has raised over $1 million to-date to help support the victims and survivors of the tragedy.”