Christopher BergAurora, IL – Five police officers were shot Friday while responding to an active shooter where a gunman fatally shot five people.
The incident happened at around 1:24 p.m. when Gary Martin, 45, opened fire on factory workers at the Henry Pratt Company, according to ABC News.
Martin was reportedly a worker at the company.
Five workers were fatally shot, and an undisclosed number were wounded. The first responding officers ran into the gunfight, and five of the officers were shot.
Officers were able to kill Martin in the gunfight.
The motive for the shooting has not been released at this time. However, ABC7 reports that Martin was being fired from the company after 15 years of working there, and that he pulled his gun at his termination meeting.
All five officers are reported to be in stable condition, although two needed to be airlifted out due to the severity of their injuries.
Factory worker John Probst said that Martin was shooting people with a pistol equipped with a laser, according to ABC News.
Martin is a convicted felon for aggravated assault, according to ABC7.
Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman thanked the officers during the press conference. “Thank you for running towards gunfire and putting your lives in danger to protect those inside the business,” she said.
President Trump took to Twitter to offer his thanks to law enforcement. Senators also thanked first responders and called for action against “gun violence.”
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