Aurora Shooting Aftermath: 'Stronger Together' In Face Of Tragedy

AURORA, IL — Flags are at flying half-mast in Aurora and memorial candles still flicker outside of Henry Pratt Manufacturing as the city bands together to pick up the pieces from Friday's horrific mass shooting. "On Feb. 15, the City of Lights went dark for a period of time," Mayor Richard Irvin said in a press briefing Tuesday. "We have rekindled the light and will continue to shine brighter and stronger than ever.”

"We are one Aurora. Aurora strong and stronger together," Irvin said.

Irvin was joined by Police Chief Kristen Ziman, Fire Chief Gary Krienitz, and a representative from the Red Cross as he spoke of the city's unity in the wake of the shooting. "What has happened in this community since Friday has been a sense of unity and solidarity that I hope will stand the test of time," Irvin said.

Police Chief Ziman said she could feel the community's solidarity most acutely during Sunday's vigil for the shooting victims. "I have never felt anything like that in my life," Ziman said.

To the families of the shooting victims, she said, "From our family to their families we are absolutely one.”

"Feeding Our Bodies, Feeding Our Souls"

At the press briefing, Ziman thanked the owner of Luigi's Pizza, which is located just steps away from the scene, for accommodating police and other first responders immediately after the shooting.

"We came in droves," Ziman said. "He closed the doors and made pizzas for everyone." She added that three children's birthdays were canceled due to the incident and that she hopes to make it up to them.

Nearby La Michoacana Ice Cream was also recognized for accommodating first responders.

Since the shooting, the Aurora Police Department said has been inundated with donations from businesses throughout the community. On social media, police posted pictures of tables filled with sandwiches, chicken wings, cookies, donuts water, and soda that they say have helped in "feeding our bodies, feeding our souls."

Fundraisers Planned Throughout the City

Fundraisers have been launched across the city to help aid the Aurora Strong fund, which has raised nearly $100,000 as of Tuesday, shattering its $50,000 goal.

Mayor Irvin recognized local graphic artist Sarah Cervantes, one of the designers behind the Aurora Strong logo, which he says has been "downloaded 1000s of times throughout the world." Cervantes has made "Aurora Strong" shirts available on her Etsy site and the proceeds from sales will be donated to the Aurora Strong fund, Irvin said.

A benefit concert has been planned at Ballydoyle's Irish Pub, with live music, an Irish buffet and a raffle. 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit Aurora Strong to help provide continuing assistance to impacted family members.

Individual GoFundMe campaigns are still open to aid the families of Vicente Juarez, Clay Parks, Josh Pinkard and Russ Beyer.

Funerals Begin for Shooting Victims

Funeral services and memorials for victims will be held throughout the week.

Wednesday night marks the first funeral for the Aurora shooting victims, a visitation and celebration of life for the youngest victim, 21-year-old Trevor Wehner, whose first day at work was Friday.

Image via City of Aurora