Watch: Aurora Hosts Remembrance Ceremony For Henry Pratt Victims

AURORA, IL — Three years ago, five men were killed by a fellow employee during a shooting at the Henry Pratt Company manufacturing and warehouse building in Aurora. Marking the anniversary Tuesday, city officials will host a remembrance ceremony.

To honor the lives of Russ Beyer, Vincente Juarez, Clayton Parks, Josh Pinkard and Trevor Wehner, the ceremony will take place at the Aurora Historical Society, 20 E. Downer Place, where an exhibit is centered on five white crosses built for the men. The event, starting at 4 p.m., will also be live-streamed on the city's Facebook page.

The white crosses, built by Late Aurora carpenter Greg Zanis, stood in memory of the victims at the factory's gates before being donated to the historical society. The exhibit, "We Remember February 15," will run through Feb. 26. Along with the crosses, memorabilia left by mourners on the sidewalk outside the factory is also displayed.

RELATED: Aurora Pratt Shooting Victims Honored In 3rd Anniversary Exhibit

Mayor Richard Irvin, Aurora Police Chief Keith Cross and Aurora Fire Chief Gary Krienitz will speak at the ceremony.

"The City of Lights was dimmed, but quickly unified to become 'Aurora Strong,'" officials said in a news release.

On Tuesday, U.S. Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced a House resolution to pay homage to the five victims. Six police officers — Adam Miller, Marco Gomez, John Cebulski, James Zegar, Reynaldo Rivera and Diego Avila — who were injured responding to the shooting are also named and commended for their efforts.

"It’s hard to believe it’s already been three years since this horrific, senseless shooting," Foster said in a statement. "Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the victims whose lives were shattered by this violence. We also owe a debt of gratitude to the police officers, six of whom were injured as they responded to the shooting. It’s my privilege to introduce this resolution in their honor. We cannot forget the events of that tragic day, the lives that were stolen from us, or the heroism of first responders from Aurora and throughout the western suburbs who rushed into danger to protect innocent people."

RELATED:

• Aurora Mass Shooting: 6 Dead, Cops Wounded
• Aurora Mass Shooting: Victims' Names, Info On Shooter Released