Aurora Staffer Honored For Securing Transportation Center From Gunman

AURORA, IL — A city staff member was awarded by Mayor Richard Irvin for his quick-thinking, calm and heroic actions to secure the Aurora Transportation Center from a gunman, officials said.

Community Outreach Specialist Brian Moreno was staffing the overnight warming center, 233 N. Broadway, on Jan. 20 when an 18-year-old Aurora teen wielded a gun at visitors and battered a man with it.

Moreno called 911 after witnessing the incident and helped usher guests outside to safety, city officials said.

"For those of who signed up for the military or to be a police officer, you expect at some point your life could be in danger while doing your job," Mayor Irvin said to Moreno during a staff presentation Wednesday. "But when you are staffing the warming center, you don’t expect that. I only hope that we all would have the calm and professionalism you showed in handling the situation. You are valued and appreciated."

RELATED: Teen With Gun At Aurora Transportation Center Faces Felonies: Police

Moreno received a standing ovation from city executives, including police Chief Keith Cross, during the presentation where he was presented with the mayor's MVP Award, the highest award given to a city staff member.

"I am just blessed that we are all still here to share the story," Moreno said.

The incident happened around 7:39 p.m. Officers were dispatched to the center where they found Eliahias Martinez near the men's restroom. Police located a gun from the teen, who was then taken into custody and charged with multiple felonies:

• Armed violence
• Aggravated battery in public place
• Aggravated battery with deadly weapon
• Aggravated assault with laser attached to firearm
• Aggravated unlawful use of a weapon