5 Dead in Aurora, IL Mass Shooting

5 Dead in Aurora, IL Mass Shooting

A gunman killed five people and wounded several more in a workplace violence situation on Friday in Aurora, Illinois. Here's what we know.

An HR meeting turned deadly when a gunman shot and killed five Henry Pratt manufacturing plant employees after learning that he'd been fired Friday in Aurora, Ill.

The gunman shot and killed three people who had called him into a meeting and then continued shooting and killing two more employees and injuring one before being confronted with police. Six police officers were injured in the incident, but are all expected to survive.

Police shot and killed the gunman, who open fired on them, ending the active shooter situation, which triggers a heavy police response in Aurora, just 40 miles from Chicago. 

After identifying the suspect, police told reporters that the suspect should not have had a gun, as he had previously been arrested six times and had a felony conviction in Mississippi. It is believed that the suspect knew that it was possible that he would be getting fired, and brought the gun into the HR meeting with him, according to Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman. Chief Ziman said the shooting happened right after he was fired.

Chief Ziman said the .40-caliber handgun had been purchased in 2014, weeks after he was issued a Firearm Owner's Identification Card. Days after he got the weapon, he applied for a concealed carry permit, but during the finger printing process, it was discovered that he had a felony conviction for aggravated assault. Once a felony of this caliber is found, the offender's conceal and carry permit should be reject and his FIOD card should be revoked. Chief Ziman said she believes no one followed up with the suspect's firearm.

"Absolutely, he was not supposed to be in possession of a firearm," Chief Ziman said. 

He five victims of the shooting at Clayton Park, human resources manager, Trevor Wehner, Northern Illinois University student and human resources intern, Russell Beyer, mold operator, Vincent Juarez, stock room attendant and fork lift operator, and Josh Pinkard, plant manager.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.