Crosses from Aurora workplace shooting now part of city's history
The five white crosses that helped bring comfort to a grieving community after one of Aurora's darkest days are now a permanent part of the city's history.
Built by Aurora resident Greg Zanis, the crosses went up shortly after five people were killed Feb. 15 in a shooting at the Henry Pratt Co. warehouse. Each bears the name of one of the victims: Clayton Parks, Trevor Wehner, Josh Pinkard, Russell Beyer and Vicente Juarez.
Members of the Juarez family were among those who delivered the crosses Sunday from outside the warehouse to the Aurora Historical Society's Pierce Art and History Center. They'll be displayed there through May 4 in the "Aurora Story" exhibit on the second floor.
"For the city to say we want these people to be remembered, it's special to me," said Juarez's daughter, Diana. "They're never going to be forgotten."
Zanis is know across the country for building and installing white crosses at sites of mass shootings and other episodes of gun violence. but these crosses were the first he'd had to make for his hometown.
The museum, at 20 E. Downer Place, is open noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Admission is free.