Fatal Bank Robbery in Berea Claims Two Lives

On Thursday, April 30, 2024, an armed robbery at the U.S. Bank in Berea, Kentucky ended with the fatal shooting of two customers: 35-year-old photographer Breanna Edwards and 42-year-old Brian Switzer. Police have identified 18-year-old Brailen Weaver as the suspect and charged him with armed robbery and homicide.

Victims: Breanna Edwards, a local photographer known for “wildflower & whimsy photography,” and Brian Switzer, a husband and father. Perpetrator: Brailen Weaver, 18. Family spokespeople: Sam Edwards (Edwards’ husband) and Switzer’s relatives, represented by Spurlin Funeral Home. Community support includes donations collected by Overflow Coffee Co. and online fundraising.

• April 30 – Robbery and shootings at the U.S. Bank.

• May 1 – Police name Brailen Weaver as suspect.

• May 2 – Families issue statements; GoFundMe for Switzer launched.

• May 3 – Funeral home announces Switzer’s services.

• May 5 – Switzer’s funeral scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at Mt. Hebron Baptist Church, Lancaster.

The GoFundMe for Brian Switzer’s family has raised over $58,000 of a $75,000 goal as of 1 p.m. Sunday. Overflow Coffee Co. accepts cash at a Berea trailer and digital contributions via Venmo (@ANipp88) and CashApp ($AmberN1226) for Edwards’ funeral expenses. Switzer’s visitation is set for Monday and Tuesday, with burial to follow the funeral at Mt. Hebron Baptist Church Cemetery.

Sam Edwards posted on the “wildflower & whimsy photography” Facebook page, praising his wife’s dedication to photography, thanking clients, and offering refunds for prepaid sessions. The Switzer family, through Spurlin Funeral Home, released a notice detailing the funeral schedule and inviting community members to attend visitation and services.

• “She radiated light and joy, and was thrilled at every opportunity she had to use her art to help people see the beauty she saw in them.” — Sam Edwards, husband

• “My wife was delightfully obsessive with her dedication to her clients, almost always walking through the front door after a shift and immediately working on finding “sneak peeks” to provide immediately, and then staying up far too late to edit the rest.” — Sam Edwards

• “If anyone has made a deposit for a session that they will no longer receive with Breanna, please send this account a direct message and I will do what I can to make it right.” — Sam Edwards

• “Much love to you all.” — Sam Edwards

Law enforcement continues its investigation, with Brailen Weaver held in custody pending trial. Community fundraising remains active to meet the families’ immediate financial and memorial needs.