NIU Student, Graduate Slain In Aurora Shooting

AURORA, IL -- Friday's horrific shooting in Aurora claimed the lives of five victims, two of whom had ties to Northern Illinois University. Trevor Wehner, 21, a student at NIU, came to the Henry Pratt plant Friday came into work Friday as an eager young intern on his first day and was gunned down by the shooter. Clayton Parks, a 2014 NIU graduate who was employed as a human resources manager with the company,was also slain in the shooting.

After Friday's shooting, NIU University President Lisa Freeman released a statement on the deaths of Wehner and Parks, saying, "Loss like this is devastating and senseless. I ask our university community to please keep the Wehner and Parks families, friends and communities in your hearts and offer them caring thoughts."

The unspeakable tragedy came a day after the 11-year anniversary of the NIU shooting, in which a gunman killed five students and injured 17 more.

Related coverage:

• Aurora Mass Shooting: Six Dead; Cops Wounded
• Aurora Mass Shooting: Victims' Names, Info On Shooter Released
• Trump, Gabby Giffords, More Respond To 'Horrific' Aurora Shooting
• Vigils Planned For Victims Of Aurora Shooting
• GoFundMe Created For Families Of Aurora Shooting Victims

Freeman also shared information on resources available to students and staff in the face of their loss. The school's counseling center is open around the clock and is available online or by phone at 815-753-1206, Freeman said. She encouraged faculty and staff to reach out to the university's Employee Assistance Program if needed.

She wrote, "It’s important that we also support one another during this time of grief and sadness."

Image credit: Bev Horne/Daily Herald via AP