The victims who tragically lost their lives in Aurora five years ago are being honored by the city.
In a solemn gathering at Belle Salle Banquet Hall located at 1920 E. New York St. in Aurora, family members, friends, and city officials came together. Each person was provided with battery-operated candles to illuminate the service, creating a poignant atmosphere filled with heartfelt embraces.
On February 15, 2019, a devastating incident unfolded at the Henry Pratt Company in Aurora, where Gary Montez Martin took the lives of five individuals and wounded six others, including five police officers.
During the commemoration, Aurora Mayor Richard C. Irvin led the attendees in honoring the memory of Russell Beyer, Vicente Juarez, Clayton Parks, Josh Pinkard, and Trevor Wehner, the five men who perished in the tragic event.
Reflecting on the events of that fateful day, Mayor Irvin recalled the moment when news of the active shooter first emerged. The city was irrevocably transformed within minutes as the community grappled with the harsh reality of gun violence.
The impact of the tragedy extended beyond the city limits, profoundly affecting the families of the victims. Ted Beyer, father of Russell Beyer, shared the profound grief he experiences, visiting his son’s grave multiple times daily, emphasizing the deep void left by his son’s untimely passing.
Abby Parks, widow of Clayton Parks, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from the community, recognizing the significance of collective remembrance in honoring the lives of the departed.
As the city seeks to commemorate not only the date of the tragedy but also the victims’ birthdays, Clayton Muhammad, the mayor’s senior advisor, underscored the importance of transforming these somber occasions into celebrations of the lives lived.
A granite memorial bench bearing the names of the five individuals, along with the inscription “In Remembrance of” and the date of the tragedy, was unveiled during the ceremony. Donated by the Henry Pratt Company, this bench will serve as a lasting tribute outside the Aurora Police Headquarters, ensuring that the legacies of Russell Beyer, Vicente Juarez, Clayton Parks, Josh Pinkard, and Trevor Wehner endure in the hearts of the community.