Bank victims remembered, Davis resigns from Council, pool opens soon

CITY HALL—As the victims of a deadly shooting at a local bank branch were remembered, emotions were apparent on the faces of the mayor, many councilmembers, and several public attendees at the first regularly scheduled Council meeting of May held on Tuesday evening.

Choking back tears as he read from a prepared statement during the mayor's comment section of the meeting, Mayor Bruce Fraley memorialized Breanna Edwards, 35, and Brian Switzer, 42, the two bank employees slain last Thursday by 18-year-old Brailen Weaver. The assailant, who was caught 15 hours later in Fayette County by a team from multiple law enforcement agencies, is now federally charged with armed bank robbery, discharging a weapon during an act of violence, and causing death. The Commonwealth is also expected to charge Weaver with homicide. He is likely to receive life in prison or the death penalty, according to US District Court Magistrate Judge Matthew Stinnett, who delivered the federal charges to Weaver on Monday.

In his statement, Fraley commented on the senselessness of the deaths, and celebrated how the town came together to love and grieve with the families and with one another after the killings. Fraley's comments in full are posted beneath this article.

Fraley also said that funeral services for Edwards will take place on Wednesday, May 6, from 12-4 pm at Ottawa Baptist Church in Brodhead. A funeral service will follow. Funeral arrangements are being managed by the Marvin. E. Owens funeral home, also in Brodhead. According to Edwards' obituary, her family is asking that those who attend the service wear bright colors in honor of her love of joy and wild flowers.

A memorial for Switzer was held Tuesday afternoon in Garrard County. Switzer lived in Jessamine County with his wife of 15 years, and three children. Edwards had recently married Sam Edwards of Berea.

Resignation

Fraley announced at the top of the meeting that Councilmember Steve Davis had resigned, effective Tuesday, May 5. Davis told The Edge in a text that as of late, his job requires him to travel significantly over the next several months, making it difficult for him to regularly attend Council meetings and fulfill other Council-related duties.

Council now has 30 days to choose a replacement for Davis. The majority rules. Currently, there is no short list of potential candidates to replace Davis, according to Councilwoman Katie Startzman who spoke with The Edge after the meeting. "I just got an email about it this afternoon," Startzman said. If Council fails to meet the 30 day requirement, the state Constitution requires the governor to choose the replacement.

In January, former Councilwoman Cora Jane Wilson resigned and was replaced in a 6 to 1 vote, with Barry Poynter. Councilman Ronnie Terrill dissented. Davis's replacement will serve until the end of this year.

Public comment

Melissa Gmuer Mora, who has lived in Berea for a year, addressed Council during the public comment period. Mora spoke of how she and her husband (José Mora, PhD, is a contributor to The Edge) moved to Berea to be closer to their four children, two of which are Berea College graduates, and two of which are still matriculating there. Previously, the Moras lived, she said, "literally on the other side of the world." She also said that although she and her husband had expected to settle in slowly, instead, they have been embraced by Bereans and shown such welcome, that the Moras feel very much a part of the community.

Proclamations

This month is Berea Lions Club month, by proclamation of the mayor. It's also Older Americans Month both nationally and here at home. The Lions have been doing good deeds in Berea for 80 years, according to Fraley. And Berea Home Village helps older Bereans stay in their homes for as long as possible.

It is also National Public Service Recognition Week, and so it is in Berea, according to Fraley who invited City Administrator Shawn Sandlin to speak on behalf of the City's civil servants. Sandlin used the moment to thank the mayor for the support he said Fraley consistently offers City Hall workers.

Department head report

Parks Department's Priscilla Bloom shared the news that the pool is expected to open on Saturday, May 23. "That's our goal," Bloom said. She also reported that 200 cubic feet of mulch have been spread around the two tot lots in opposite ends of Community Park. Ball games have already been played on the fields, which must be maintained six days a week, Bloom said. Last weekend, 100 kids came to the park to celebrate the Derby with a stick horse race and snacks. Student from Berea College helped run the event, she said. The Special Needs Gala, sponsored by the Parks dept. was held this past Friday night, May 1. Also, the new pickle ball courts are being well-used, according to Bloom, who also said that the resurfacing of the basketball courts has also helped keep the courts full.

City administrator report

Sandlin offered his "deepest gratitude" to the Berea Police Department for how fast they acted in the bank killings, and how well they coordinated with the many state and federal agencies involved in apprehending Weaver. He also said the FY26-27 budget is nearly complete, and that he is "proud" of it, and in particular, the parks projects in the budget. In response to a question from Terrill, Sandlin said that a black topping project would begin on Wednesday, and that all impacted residents have been notified of the road work.

Mayor's comments

In addition to reading his prepared statement, Fraley shared that all local US Bank branches are accepting donations for Edwards's and Switzer's survivors. Because it is a crime scene, the Berea bank branch remains closed. The closest US Bank branch accepting donations is in Richmond at 200 East Main Street. Fraley said all monies collected will be given directly to the families.

Council comments

John Payne: Speaking emotionally, he said it was difficult to put into words what we are feeling at this time, but that we came together and protected one another. He thanked Hays, and also Fraley and Sandlin for coordinating the number of lock downs across the City when the whereabouts of Weaver were unknown. Payne, who is a librarian in the county's library system, also quipped he'd never had to lock down the library before.

Katie Startzman: Thanked Fraley for his sentiments about the slain, and commented on how working with Davis had been a pleasurable experience.

Teresa Scenters: Expressed that she felt heavy with emotion. She thanked Mora for her comments about the town. She reminded those in attendance that we don't know the hour of our death, "anything can happen", and that by the information she'd collected about the lives of Edwards and Switzer, she believe that "They were prepared to meet Jesus. That is all we can ask for."

Terrill: I hate what happened. I'm glad we spent the money on the technology (Flock Safety cameras) that helped find the guy.

Poynter: Agreed with Fraley's statement and thanked him and Mora for their sentiments.

Steve Caudill: Thanked Mora for the "rare uplifting message" during the public comment section. He expressed gratitude for our "competent and dedicated" police, and thanked Fraley for his statement.

Jerry Little: Also commented on the depth of the tragedy at the bank, and thanked Davis who, he said, "was a good councilman."

Complete text from Mayor's tribute to Weaver's victims

The most important item I have to cover this evening is to express our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and coworkers of Breanna Edwards and Brian Switzer, who lost their lives in a senseless act of violence at US Bank on April 30th.

It is difficult to find words to adequately describe the sadness that is felt by our entire community, including our city staff and our elected officials. There is some consolation in the way our community has come together to collectively wrap our arms around those who were closest to Ms. Edwards and Mr. Switzer, which is clear by the numbers phone calls, email messages, and others, from our local citizens, from former Berea residents, and from our neighbors from surrounding counties.

For Breanna Edwards, the visitation and funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, May 6th, in the afternoon with Marvin Owens Funeral Home in Brodhead is in charge of the arrangements.

Funeral services for Brian Switzer were held in Garrard County earlier today.

We ask everyone to remember them and to keep their families, friends, and coworkers in their prayers.

Many have asked how they can help, and the district manager for US Bank in our area told me that anyone wanting to make a donation to the fairs of Mr. Switzer and Ms. Edwards can do so at any US Bank location, and all funds raised will go directly from the bank to the families to support the in this difficult time. The US Bank on Main Street in Richmond is the closest location to make donations at this time.

I also want to commend the law enforcement community for their tenacity in responding to this situation so quickly, and in apprehending the suspected perpetrator of this violent crime within 15 hours. The level of cooperation and professionalism shown by the Berea Police Department, the Madison County Sheriff's Office, Kentucky State Police and federal law enforcement was nothing less than outstanding and deserving of the highest praise.