Guidance through grief: Prayer vigil held for 5 victims of Miller Brewery shooting



GREENFIELD -- Leaning on faith to process pain, a prayer vigil was held Thursday night for the victims of the Feb. 26 Miller Brewery shooting.

A spiritual selection to uplift heavy spirits, hundreds trying to heal together gathered at Ridge Community Church in Greenfield.

Roger Budzien



"Just been shocking. I never thought anything like this would happen," said Roger Budzien, a retired Miller Brewery employee. "This actually happened in an area where I spent a lot of time working."

He's mourning the five lives lost.

"One was a very close friend. Another guy was a friend, the other three were acquaintances. I worked with them," Budzien said. "Good people, all good people."

Mark Weigt



Those people were celebrated during the Feb. 27 service. Mark Weigt is the church's lead pastor.

"There is something about when we connect together, especially in a time like this, it's a powerful thing and it's a therapeutic thing," Weigt said.

The sermon and prayers focused on helping those who are hurting. Coming together after tragedy, leaning on faith for guidance through grief.

"We're all there for them. This is really an unspeakable tragedy," said Budzien.

Friends of the victims and union members were in attendance, grateful for the support they've received since the shooting.


About the victims


Five people were shot and killed in the Miller Brewery shooting on Feb. 26. Those victims were identified by Milwaukee police.

Jesus Valle Jr.

A woman who answered a call to a possible listing for Valle said she was his sister. She declined to give her name but said he leaves behind a wife and two small children. She was crying and the sounds of others crying in the background could be heard. She declined further comment.

Gennady Levshetz

Levshetz’s obituary identified him as married with two children and two grandchildren. It said he would be remembered as a “kind, caring, and giving person who always put his family’s needs before his own.”

Trevor Wetselaar

Wetselaar’s LinkedIn page says he graduated from UW-Madison and he worked as an engine room operator with Miller Coors since 2018. Before that, he served as a nuclear reactor operator in the U.S. Navy.

Dana Walk

Walk’s Facebook page states that he attended Kettle Moraine High School and contains photos of fishing and sailing.

CLICK HERE to view the verified GoFundMe campaign started for Walk.


Dana Walk




Dale Hudson

Hudson’s Facebook page states that he was married and attended Elkhorn Area High School. A woman who answered the phone at his home had no comment.