March 28, 2024
Five people killed in shooting at Aurora, Ill. manufacturing plant
AURORA, Ill.--Five people were killed and six police officers injured in a shooting at a manufacturing company in Aurora, Illinois, on Friday afternoon.

The suspected gunman, killed by police, was identified by authorities as Gary Martin. Authorities believe Martin may have been employed at the plant, Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman.

Police at the Henry Pratt Co. industrial complex at around 1:28 p.m. CST, just minutes after receiving 911 calls, and were immediately fired upon, Ziman said at a press conference Friday evening. Authorities searched the 29,000 square-foot plant, where they eventually located the suspected gunman and exchanged gunfire with him.

"The other officers on the scene located gunshot victims inside the building," Ziman said. "At this time, we have confirmed that five victims are deceased."

Identities of the victims have yet to be confirmed.

Six officers were injured but are all in stable condition, Ziman said. Five officers were shot and one is receiving treatment for a knee injury.

Diana Muniz, an employee at Taqueria Muniz, told NBC Chicago a customer reported hearing numerous shots in the area.

“The customer said they heard one shot fired, then more shots like ‘boom, boom, boom,’” she said

Henry Pratt Company is a large manufacturer of valves and other industrial equipment and owned by Mueller Water Product Inc., an Atlanta-based corporation.

The U.S. Marshals, FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also said they were responding to the building.

Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin, both Illinois Democrats, each tweeted about the shooting and said they were keeping track of updates.

“This is a scary, sad day for all Illinoisans and Americans,” Duckworth said. “Thank you to the brave first responders who risked their lives this afternoon and apprehended the shooter.” (Source: NBC News)
Story Date: February 16, 2019
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