The Aurora Historical Society will pay tribute to the five individual who lost their lives in an Aurora workplace shooting in 2019 by mounting a third anniversary exhibit of memorabilia. The exhibit will open February 4 and run through February 26.
Russell Beyer, Vicente Juarez, Clayton Parks, Josh Pinkard, and Trevor Wehner were shot and killed by a disgruntled fellow employee at the Henry Pratt Company facility in Aurora February 15, 2019. Five Aurora police officers and a Pratt employee were injured, as well, before the gunman lost his life to police fire.
The five white crosses that stood at the factory gates in their memory, built by the late Greg Zanis, will be the centerpiece of the memorial, which they were for the last three years. The crosses were donated to the society by Zanis. In addition, the exhibit will display memorabilia left by mourners on the sidewalk outside of the factory.
A 2020 video of the first anniversary exhibit is available on the Historical Society website: www.aurorahistory.net/february15.
The installation will be on the second floor of the Pierce Art and History Center, within the “Aurora Story” exhibit. The Center is at 20 E. Downer Place, Aurora. Hours for the exhibit are Wednesday through 4 p.m., noon to 4 p.m., and Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Admission is free. Masks are required.
Zanis’ autobiography, Cross Man, is available at the AHS gift shop or online at aurorahistory.net/shop. Cost is $23.99 plus tax. There is a 10% discount to Aurora Historical Society members.
— Aurora Historical Society