6 years later: Aurora community remembers victims of 2019 shooting at Henry Pratt Company plant
AURORA, Ill. – A lot has changed in Aurora over the last six years, but the memories of what happened at the Henry Pratt Company plant still remain.
On Feb. 15, 2019, an employee with Henry Pratt Company who was about to be fired went into the office, pulled out a gun and opened fire on those who happened to be inside.
Trevor Wehner, Clayton Parks, Russell Beyer, Vicente Juarez and Josh Pinkard were all killed.
'What we can do as a community is remember these five men who passed away….these five souls, these five lights who endure beyond the loss,' said Clayton Muhammad with the City of Aurora.
ORIGINAL COVERAGE: 5 employees dead, 5 officers wounded in Aurora shooting; gunman killed by police
Six other people, including five responding officers, were injured in the search for the gunman who was also killed that day.
'Aurora remembers. Aurora honors. Aurora stands with you today and always,' Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin said.
Irvin was among those at Saturday's memorial, remembering those lost and what their legacy leaves behind in how the city responded to the tragedy.
Freedom Rider shares his story at Black History celebration in Markham
''Aurora Strong' still defines us. It's found in the way we care for our neighbors and the way we honor those we've lost,' Irvin said.
Parks' widow Abby was in attendance with her now-6-year-old son, Axel, who was just an infant when his father was killed.
'When February comes, it's like a slow march to February 15,' Abby Parks said. 'I'm thankful there's a community that continues to involve us in their embrace and their kindness and their love. It makes it just a little bit easier to know they have the City of Aurora behind us.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Santa Ana man arrested on suspicion of kidnapping Bakersfield girl
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A Santa Ana man was arrested in Bakersfield on suspicion of kidnapping a teen girl who he met online while playing Fortnite, officials said. Sergio Estrada, 19, was arrested Wednesday in east Bakersfield after deputies say they found him walking with a girl who was reported missing. Man faces 500 years to life for sexually abusing child under 10 Sheriff's deputies initially responded to the 2400 block of Kentucky Street on June 11, for a report of a 14-year-old who was last seen the afternoon of June 10. The 14-year-old's mother told sheriff's deputies she believed her daughter was possibly in an intimate relationship with an 'older adult male' through the game 'Fortnite.' According to investigators, the teen and Estrada had been in contact with each other through social media for two years. Estrada was arrested and booked into the Lerdo Justice Facility for kidnapping, child stealing and contact with a minor with intent to commit a sexual offense, according to inmate records. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The teen girl was safely returned to her family. Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to please contact the Kern County Sheriff's Office, at 661-861-3110. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Missing Person: Have you seen Bryan Lambert?
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The Monroe County Sheriff's Office is requesting the public's help in locating a missing man. Bryan J. Lambert is described as a 40-year-old, 6-foot-tall male with brown shoulder-length hair, weighing 190 pounds. Lambert was last seen earlier in the day on Thursday, leaving Black Creek Park in the Town of Riga in his silver 2002 Honda Civic. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact 911. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Waterbury man indicted on gun, drug charges
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — A Waterbury man was charged with drug and firearms offenses Thursday after a federal grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment on June 4. Timeek Heath, 41, appeared in federal court in Hartford on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was ordered to be detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for June 17. Man charged with OUI, having a pistol in Norwalk The indictment alleges that Heath distributed fentanyl on two occasions in August and September of 2024. It also alleges that on Sept. 5, 2024, Heath sold a Glock, Model 23, .40-caliber pistol to an individual he knew to be a convicted felon. The indictment goes on to allege that Heath has a criminal history that includes felony convictions for manslaughter and larceny. It is against federal law for an individual previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce. The indictment charges Heath with two counts of possession with intent to distribute and the distribution of fentanyl, which carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison on each count; one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, which carries a maximum term of 15 years in prison; one count of sale of a firearm by a prohibited person, which carries a maximum term of 15 years in prison; and one count of firearms trafficking, which carries a maximum term of 15 years in prison. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
