Police: Two killed in domestic-related shooting at Aurora restaurant
Two people, including the suspected shooter, are dead after a shooting at an Aurora restaurant Saturday night, police said.
According to Aurora police, officers responded at 9:10 p.m. to multiple 911 calls about shots fired at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway.
Officers arrived to find three shooting victims and performed lifesaving measures until Aurora Fire Department paramedics transported two people to area hospitals. A woman later was pronounced dead at a hospital, while a man is in critical condition, police said.
Another man, believed to be the shooter, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.
Police said the three individuals knew each other and there is no threat to the community.
“This shooting appears to be a domestic violence related incident,” police said in a news release.
Authorities did not immediately identify the shooting victims. The Kane County Coroner’s office will conduct autopsies of those killed and confirm identities for release at a later time, police said.
“Our hearts are heavy tonight. Members of our community were senselessly shot while simply trying to enjoy a night out, and our entire city feels the weight of that violence.” Aurora Police Chief Matt Thomas said. “On behalf of the Aurora Police Department, I want the victims and their families to know we are standing with you and doing everything we can to make sure you have answers.”
Charity Benevelli, whose band Beyond the Blonde was performing at Two Brothers when the shooting occurred, said the crowd was having a good time before she heard a loud noise she initially believed was a falling object.
She heard it a second time and recognized it as a gunshot. Then she went down to the floor.
“I started shimmying off to the side because I didn't know where the shooter was, and I wanted to make sure I wasn't at a point where I was right in the middle,” Benevelli said.
As soon as the shots stopped, she made her way out the door, crouching as she left.
“Everybody was kind of coming together and hugging (outside),” Benevelli said.
“It's a crazy feeling going from everyone is just having a great time, smiling, laughing, dancing, and then all of a sudden it's absolute fear,” she added.
Two Brothers Roundhouse management said in statement they are “profoundly saddened by the violence that occurred.”
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this tragedy. The safety, comfort, and well-being of our guests, staff, and community remain our highest priorities,” the statement reads.
“We appreciate the compassion, patience, and understanding shown by our guests and community during this difficult moment,” it continues.
Longtime customer Lola Smith said events like Saturday night “can happen anywhere.”
“We’re living in a crazy society,” she said Sunday.
“You can't just lock yourself up and stay in,” Smith added. “You just can’t stop living.”
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Aurora Police Department’s Investigations Division at (630) 256-5500. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at (630) 892-1000 or online at www.p3tips.com/135.