By David Mercer, news reporter
A gunman who killed five
people and wounded several police officers at a warehouse near Chicago opened
fire as he was being fired by the company, authorities say.
people and wounded several police officers at a warehouse near Chicago opened
fire as he was being fired by the company, authorities say.
Police named the killer
as 45-year-old Gary Martin, who had worked at the Henry Pratt manufacturing company
in Aurora, Illinois for 15 years. He was shot dead by
officers following his deadly rampage after police responded to reports of an
“active shooter” at about 2pm local time on Friday (8pm GMT).
as 45-year-old Gary Martin, who had worked at the Henry Pratt manufacturing company
in Aurora, Illinois for 15 years. He was shot dead by
officers following his deadly rampage after police responded to reports of an
“active shooter” at about 2pm local time on Friday (8pm GMT).
Aurora police chief
Kristen Ziman said Martin was armed with a handgun but it was not yet clear
whether he was carrying the weapon at the time he was being fired or whether he
went to retrieve it before opening fire.
Kristen Ziman said Martin was armed with a handgun but it was not yet clear
whether he was carrying the weapon at the time he was being fired or whether he
went to retrieve it before opening fire.
Five employees were
killed at the Henry Pratt Company, which makes valves for industrial purposes.
A sixth worker was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
killed at the Henry Pratt Company, which makes valves for industrial purposes.
A sixth worker was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Five police officers were
wounded after being shot as they entered the building, while a sixth officer
suffered a knee injury but was not hit by gunfire.
wounded after being shot as they entered the building, while a sixth officer
suffered a knee injury but was not hit by gunfire.
The officers who were
shot are described as being in a stable condition in hospital.
shot are described as being in a stable condition in hospital.