OHIO — The Dayton mass shooting suspect has been identified as 24-year-old Connor Betts, a white male.
At least nine people were killed and 27 more were injured in the attack early Sunday at a nightclub district in downtown Dayton. Betts was killed by police following a brief standoff, less than a minute after starting his attack.
The shooting was the second mass shooting in the United States in less than 24 hours, after a mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, the previous day. It was also the third mass shooting in the United States in a seven-day period, taking place less than 168 hours after the Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting.
#BREAKING: Cops Release Surveillance Video From #Dayton Mass Shooting; Officers Engaging Gunman – https://t.co/02SVSLQImC
(WARNING: GRAPHIC) pic.twitter.com/G3bNqPyHtn
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) August 4, 2019
At 1:07 a.m., eyewitnesses reported that a man, later identified as Connor Betts, opened fire at the entrance of Ned Peppers Bar in the downtown Oregon Historic District of Dayton after being denied entry. He was carrying a .223 caliber rifle with a high-capacity magazine, and shot into crowds, killing nine people. Less than a minute after the shooting began, law enforcement officers arrived on scene and engaged the gunman. After a short standoff, Betts was shot dead.
WATCH: Witness Captures The Moment Of Dayton, Ohio Mass Shooting – (NSFW) https://t.co/cSLlP6CoLr
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) August 4, 2019
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As well as responding quickly to the attack, local police evacuated many nearby night venues, and warned Dayton residents to stay away from the Oregon district.
After the attack, law enforcement confirmed that the gunman was Betts, a 24-year-old from Bellbrook, Ohio. According to the authorities, Betts had additional magazines with him, and was wearing body armor during the attack.
A motive for the crime remains unknown.
Betts’ sister and boyfriend were later found dead in a car.
BREAKING: Sister of alleged Dayton shooter and her boyfriend found shot dead in a car; authorities probing connection to massacre – WNBC
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) August 4, 2019
Following the shooting, Ned Peppers Bar posted a message on Instagram reading: “All of our staff is [sic] safe and our hearts go out to everyone involved as we gather information.”
President Donald Trump tweeted, “God bless the people of El Paso Texas. God bless the people of Dayton, Ohio.”
The mayor of Dayton, Nan Whaley, thanked the officers for a quick response, saying that it certainly prevented more deaths. She also spoke of how hard the day would be for the city and the families affected.
