Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who was sworn into office just over a month ago, thanked law enforcement and told reporters there was "no way to prepare for the pain of losing innocent people in the state that you were elected to lead, the state that you were elected to protect."
"There is no way to prepare. There are no words for the kind of evil that robs our neighbors of their hopes, their dreams and their futures. There are no words to express our gratitude to the families of the officers who were injured in the line of duty as they responded within moments to the gravest kind of danger that they can face. Tomorrow, the families of the victims will be less than whole."
In Friday evening's news conference, Aurora, Illinois, Mayor Richard Irvin lamented the fact his city is just the latest to fall victim to a mass shooter.
"It's a shame that mass shootings such as this have become commonplace in our country," he said. "It's a shame that a cold and heartless offender would be so selfish as to think he has the right to take an innocent life. But we as a society cannot allow these horrific acts to become commonplace."
Five police officers were wounded while responding to the scene of Friday's shooting and are being treated at local hospitals, Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman said at a news conference. A sixth officer is receiving treatment for a knee injury.
The suspected gunman in Friday's mass shooting has been identified as Gary Martin, according to Aurora Chief of Police Kristen Ziman.
Police believe that Martin, 45, was an employee at the business where the shooting occurred. Investigators have not determined a motive, Ziman said.
Five people have been confirmed dead in the Aurora, Illinois, shooting, Chief of Police Kristen Ziman said at a news conference.
Ziman confirmed that the shooter was also killed.
The suspect in the Friday shooting at a manufacturing plant in Aurora is dead, two federal law enforcement officials tell CNN.
Social media posts from the city previously said the shooter had been apprehended.
President Trump tweeted about the shooting in Aurora on Friday evening, thanking law enforcement for their work and offering a message of solidarity to those affected.
"Great job by law enforcement in Aurora, Illinois," Trump wrote. "Heartfelt condolences to all of the victims and their families. America is with you!"
Former Rep. Gabby Giffords, herself a survivor of a horrific mass shooting, criticized President Trump for refusing to "acknowledge a real crisis when he sees one" and said, "Americans should be able to go to work without fear of being shot. This must stop."