Washington, D.C. – Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet entered the following statement in to the Congressional record remembering the 10th anniversary of the Aurora movie theater shooting and honoring the victims of the attack, including the 12 Coloradans left dead:
“Mr. President, on July 20, 2012, Colorado suffered a horrific mass shooting at a movie theater in Aurora. A gunman took twelve innocent lives from us – each of them full of aspirations for a future that was tragically and senselessly cut short. They leave behind family, friends, and a community in Aurora that still carries the pain of their loss a decade later.
“Colorado will never forget and forever honor the 12 victims of the Aurora shooting. Today I ask to read their names into the Congressional record.
“Jonathan Blunk was 26 years old. He was a father of two who moved to Colorado in 2009 after three tours in the Persian Gulf and North Arabian Sea for the U.S. Navy. He was a certified firefighter and EMT. Jon lost his life protecting his friend Jansen Young from the gunman’s line of fire. Jon shielded her from gunfire by pushing her to the ground while shots were fired. He was supposed to fly that Saturday to Nevada to see his wife Chantel Blunk and his four-year-old daughter and two-year-old son. Instead, his wife had to put up the dress her daughter had picked out to wear to the airport. She told her daughter that they would not see their dad anymore, but that he would still love them and look over them.
“Alexander Jonathan Boik was 18 years old. His friends and family called him A.J. He had just graduated from Gateway High School. He enjoyed baseball, music, and making pottery. A.J. was supposed to start art classes at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design that fall. He was described ‘as being the life of the party” who could bring a smile to anybody’s face.’ He was a young man with a warm and loving heart.
“Jesse Childress was 29 years old. He was an Air Force cyber systems operator based at Buckley Air Force Base. He loved to play flag football, softball, and bowl. He was a devoted fan of the Denver Broncos and held season tickets. His superior officer described him as an invaluable part of the 310th family who touched everyone with whom he worked.
“Gordon Cowden was 51 years old. He was originally from Texas and lived in Aurora with his family. He was ‘a quick witted world traveler with a keen sense of humor, he will be remembered for his devotion to his children and for always trying to do the right thing, no matter the obstacle.’ Gordon took his two teenage children to the theater the night of the shooting. Both of them, thankfully, made it out unharmed.
“Jessica Ghawi was 24 years old. She was an aspiring journalist, most recently interning with Mile High Sports Radio in Denver, and went by the nickname ‘Redfield.’ She was hardworking, ambitious, and had a generous spirit and kind heart. When several homes were destroyed by Colorado wildfires, Jessica collected hockey equipment to donate to the kids affected because she wanted to help. That’s who she was.
“John Thomas Larimer was 27 years old. He was a cryptologic technician with the Navy based also at Buckley Air Force Base, a job that requires ‘exceptionally good character and skills.’ Originally from Chicago, John was the youngest of five siblings and had joined the service just over a year before the shooting. Like his father and grandfather, John chose to serve in the U.S. Navy. John’s superior officer called him ‘an outstanding shipmate, a valued member of the Navy and an extremely dedicated sailor.’ Colleagues praised his calming demeanor and exceptional work ethic.
“Matthew McQuinn was 27 years old. Matt died while protecting his girlfriend Samantha Yowler by jumping in front of her during the shooting. Matt and Samantha moved to Colorado from Ohio last fall and worked at Target. He and Samantha were in love and planning their future life together. Matt’s bravery saved Samantha’s life.
“Micayla ‘Cayla’ Medek was 23 years old. Cayla was a graduate of William C. Hinkley High School in Aurora and a resident of Westminster. She worked at Subway and was a huge Green Bay Packers fan. Cayla would plan weekend activities around watching the games with her brother and father. She is remembered as a loving and gentle young woman.
“Veronica Moser-Sullivan was six years old. She had just learned to swim and attended Holly Ridge Elementary School in Denver. She was a good student who loved to play dress-up and read.
“Alex Sullivan was 27 years old. He was at the movie celebrating his 27th birthday and first wedding anniversary. He loved comic books, the New York Mets, and movies. Alex was such a big movie fan that he took jobs at theaters just to see the movies. Alex stood 6 feet 4 inches and weighed about 280 pounds. He played football and wrestled before graduating high school in 2003 and later went to culinary school. Alex was known as a gentle giant and was loved by many.
“Alexander C. Teves was 24 years old. Alex received an M.A. in counseling psychology from the University of Denver and was planning on becoming a psychiatrist. He also competed in the Tough Mudder, an intense endurance challenge, and helped students with special needs. Alex was at the theater on the night of the shooting with his girlfriend Amanda Lindgren. When the gunman opened fire, Alex immediately lunged to block Amanda from the gunfire, held her down, and covered her head.
“Rebecca Wingo was 32 years old. Originally from Texas, Rebecca joined the Air Force after high school, where she became fluent in Mandarin Chinese and served as a translator. She was a single mother of two girls and worked as a customer relations representative at a mobile medical imaging company. Rebecca was also enrolled at the Community College of Aurora and had been working toward an associate of arts degree. She was known to family and friends as a ‘gentle, sweet, beautiful soul.’
“When I came to the floor a decade ago, I said that scripture tells us ‘not to be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’ That is what the people of Aurora have done for the past ten years. Today, we recommit to not remember July 20 for the evil act that day.
“We choose to remember the beautiful lives lost and the loved ones they left behind.
“We choose to remember the 70 wounded survivors, whose resilience in the years since is a testament to humanity’s resolve.
“We choose to remember the heroic acts of everyday citizens, our first responders, and medical personnel who saved lives that otherwise surely would have been lost.
“And we choose to remember the profound generosity of the Coloradans and Americans who donated blood in record numbers and raised funds to support the survivors.
“A decade later, Colorado and the country continue to draw strength from the example set by the people of Aurora. And we recommit to ending the American scourge of gun violence – unique among industrialized nations – that has cut short too many innocent lives in our communities.
“Thank you, Mr. President.”