At least six people were killed on Friday in a factory firing in a suburb of the US city of Chicago. Five policemen were injured in the firefight at the water valve factory in Aurora, Illinois, local police chief Kristen Ziman said in front of cameras. The shooter was also killed. At first there were no exact details of possible further injuries.
The police have since confirmed that the shooter is a 45-year-old former employee of the company, who was released only two weeks ago. He is said to have been employed in the factory for 15 years. Whether the motive is to be found in it must first be clarified.
Governor Jay Robert Pritzker was dismayed. "There are no words for the kind of evil that steals our neighbors their hopes, their dreams and their future," he was quoted by the Chicago Tribune.
DPA
Crime scene in a suburb of Chicago: a plant for water valves
According to official figures, the shots fell on late Friday afternoon in the factory. Television pictures showed a large array of police, rescue and fire trucks at the scene. Surrounding schools were temporarily sealed off.
The man also shot at arriving policemen. Overall, five officers were injured in the shootout, police chief Ziman said. A sixth official had sustained an injury to the knee during the operation. The perpetrator had died in the firefight with the police.
Active Shooter Incident has been secured. Shooter is no longer a threat to the area. Continuing police presence wants to remain under investigation. Parents please contact your local school districts for dismissal plan https://t.co/P4y7X7K4og
- Aurora (IL) Police (@AuroraPoliceIL) February 15, 2019The injured were taken by helicopters to surrounding clinics. Policemen then searched the plant for possible other victims.
The incident sparked memories of the assassination in another location called Aurora, Colorado. There, a shooter had opened the fire in 2012 at a movie premiere in the hall, killed twelve people and injured about 70 others.