‘I'm Never Going to See My Dad:' Family Seeks Help, Demands Answers After Father's Death

Vicente Juarez was one of five people killed in a shooting at an Aurora business Friday

A suburban family is left pleading for answers and demanding action after Vicente Juarez, an employee at the Henry Pratt Company in Aurora, was among five people shot and killed on Friday afternoon.

Juarez, who leaves behind three children and eight grandchildren, had worked for the company for 13 years, and was working as a Forklift Operator when he was gunned down by a former employee.

Now, his family is left to pick up the pieces, and they are trying to come to grips with their devastating loss.

“I’m not going to see my dad. I’m never going to see my dad,” Juarez’s daughter Diana said as she fought back tears. “He’s never going to come home from work. Never. That’s it. We’re done.”

NBC 5’s Kate Chappell provides the latest information on the shooting that left five people dead and at least five people wounded at an Aurora industrial complex on Saturday. 

The Juarez family indicated on Saturday that they are considering taking legal action against the company in the aftermath of the shooting. That act of violence was perpetrated by a man who was terminated by the company on Friday, and after he was told that news, he pulled out a gun and opened fire, killing five coworkers before being killed in a gun battle with police.

Wracked with grief, Juarez’s family wants to know if the firing could have been handled differently, and if it would have prevented the tragedy that unfolded shortly thereafter.

 “Why would they not escort him? Why would they not get his badge?,” Diana Juarez asked.

The family launched a GoFundMe page on Saturday to try to raise funds for a funeral, and to support their mother as she works through the grief of losing her husband.

 “As you can all imagine, the need for such a page is something a family never wants to experience,” the fundraising page said. “Vicente was the head of his household and his family depended on him extensively. We know that many other families have experienced a loss and we appreciate any help.”

Over $5,000 has already been raised by the page, and will go toward funeral expenses and financial assistance for the family.

The city of Aurora has also launched a GoFundMe page for victims of the tragedy, and that fundraiser has already raised over $17,000.

Contact Us