Illinois shooter had gun permit revoked

Churches hold vigils for 5 people killed in attack

AURORA, Ill. – The victims of a gunman’s rampage at a manufacturing plant were memorialized in a prayer vigil Sunday as authorities investigated how the killer had a firearm almost five years after his permit was revoked.

The Aurora Prayer Coalition and area churches hosted the vigil at the Henry Pratt Co., where police said Gary Martin, 45, fatally shot five coworkers and wounded six other people, including five police officers, before being killed in a gunfight. About 1,700 people gathered at the site, heads bowed as clergy led them in prayer two days after what the Rev. Dan Haas described as “senseless killings.”

“These were relatively young people . ... We will never know their gifts and talents,” Haas said of the victims.

The wounded officers ranged in age from 24 to 53. Aurora police said two remained hospitalized Sunday, and both were expected to survive.

Martin, a 15-year employee, had been called into a meeting and was being fired when he began shooting, authorities said. Three people at the meeting, including human resources intern Trevor Wehner, 21, on his first day at work, were among the victims.

Also killed were Clayton Parks, the human resources manager; Russell Beyer, a mold operator; Josh Pinkard, the plant manager; and Vicente Juarez, a forklift operator.

Martin had his gun permit revoked in 2014, Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman said. “He was not supposed to be in possession of a gun,” Ziman said.

Martin was issued a firearms ID in January 2014 and applied to purchase a handgun from an Aurora gun dealer two months later. Days later, when Martin applied for a conceal carry permit, it was discovered he had a felony conviction in 1995 for aggravated assault in Mississippi. Martin’s conceal carry permit was rejected, and his firearms ID was revoked by Illinois State Police.

Ziman said state police should have sent Martin a letter informing him that he was illegally in possession of a firearm and needed to turn in his weapon. Police are trying to determine whether that letter was sent and why the gun was never turned in.

Bacon reported from Mclean, Va. Contributing: The Associated Press

Police secure the area after a shooting at the Henry Pratt Co. on Friday in Aurora, Ill. Five people were killed and five police officers wounded in the attack by Gary Martin, 45, an employee at the company. SCOTT OLSON/GETTY IMAGES