Mueller CEO releases statement on Aurora facility shooting

US valve manufacturer Mueller Water Products (Mueller) president and CEO Scott Hall released a statement regarding the ‘tragic’ shooting that resulted in five deaths at the company’s Henry Pratt facility in Aurora, Illinois.

Victims Josh Pinkard, Russ Beyer, Vicente Juarez, Clay Parks and Trevor Wehner were all employed at the facility, ranging from an HR intern to union chairman.

The shooter, Gary Martin, was an employee at the facility and after a shootout with the police, died from gunshot wounds.

“It is with profound sadness that I am writing to you regarding the tragic shooting that took place yesterday at our Henry Pratt facility in Aurora, Illinois. Our hearts are with the victims and their loved ones, the first responders, the Aurora community and the entire Mueller family during this extremely difficult time,” said Hall in a statement.

“I am on-site in Aurora, along with several members of the Mueller leadership team, to be with our colleagues. Our focus right now is on the health and well-being of our colleagues and the families of the victims. We are committed to providing them any and all support.”

Six police officers were also injured during the police response to the scene, with some being treated at nearby hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

The investigation regarding the incident is ongoing and Mueller outlined that it has ‘pledged’ to continue to work closely with all local, state and federal law enforcement agencies involved.