Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley said the gunman in the mass shooting in the city’s Oregon District was wearing body armor and used a “.223 high-capacity” firearm during the shooting spree that left ten dead and 26 wounded.
“In less than one minute, Dayton first responders neutralized the shooter,” Whaley said during a Sunday morning press conference at the Dayton Convention Center, where authorities have set up a family assistance center. She added that if the police had not responded so quickly, “hundreds of people in the Oregon District could be dead today.”
Whaley added that the gunman, whose name has not been released, carried additional magazines and said investigators have yet to discover a possible motive.
Police, as cited by ABC News, said the shooter had a “long gun.”
At least 26 people are being treated at area hospitals, The Associated Press reported, though no details about their conditions have been released.
‘Put an End to It Quickly’
Deb Decker, Montgomery County Emergency Services public information officer, was quoted by CNN as saying that the shooting occurred as the suspect was making his way toward a bar called Ned Peppers.
Dayton police tweeted that an active shooter situation began in the Oregon District at 1:22 a.m., but that officers nearby were able to “put an end to it quickly.”
#OregonDistrict #update We had officers in the immediate vicinity when this shooting began and were able to respond and put an end to it quickly.
— Dayton Police Dept. (@DaytonPolice) August 4, 2019
#OregonDistrict #update Lt. Col. Carper: at 1:22am active shooter situation began in oregon district. The shooter is deceased. There are 9 others also deceased. At least 16 others went to area hospitals with injuries.
— Dayton Police Dept. (@DaytonPolice) August 4, 2019
‘Our Hearts Go Out to Everyone Involved’
The Oregon District is a historic neighborhood near downtown Dayton that’s home to entertainment options, including bars, restaurants, and theaters. Police have not said where in the district the shooting took place.
As news broke of the shooting, two Oregon District bars—Hole in the Wall and Ned Peppers—wrote on Instagram that their staff was safe.
“All of our staff is safe and our hearts go out to everyone involved as we gather information,” said both accounts in a statement.
#BREAKING: We are on our way to the Oregon District where there’s reports of at least a dozen people shot. Will update on this thread with information. @dayton247now
— Molly Reed (@MollyR247Now) August 4, 2019
Nikita Papillon, 23, was across the street at Newcom’s Tavern when the shooting started. She told The Associated Press she saw a girl she had talked to earlier lying outside Ned Peppers Bar.
“She had told me she liked my outfit and thought I was cute, and I told her I liked her outfit and I thought she was cute,” Papillon said. She herself had been to Ned Peppers the night before, describing it as the kind of place “where you don’t have to worry about someone shooting up the place.”
“People my age, we don’t think something like this is going to happen,” she added. “And when it happens, words can’t describe it.”
The Ohio shooting came hours after a young man opened fire in a crowded El Paso, Texas, shopping area, leaving 20 dead and more than two dozen injured. Just days before, on July 28, a 19-year-old shot and killed three people, including two children, at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in Northern California.
The FBI is assisting with the investigation.
Trump Sends Condolences
President Donald Trump issued condolences in the wake of the Daytona bloodbath.
“The FBI, local and state law enforcement are working together in El Paso and in Dayton, Ohio. Information is rapidly being accumulated in Dayton,” the president said in a tweet, adding that “law enforcement was very rapid in both instances.”
The FBI, local and state law enforcement are working together in El Paso and in Dayton, Ohio. Information is rapidly being accumulated in Dayton. Much has already be learned in El Paso. Law enforcement was very rapid in both instances. Updates will be given throughout the day!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2019
God bless the people of El Paso Texas. God bless the people of Dayton, Ohio.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2019
Ohio Governor Orders Flags to Fly at Half Staff
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has ordered flags in the state to be lowered “in honor and memory of the victims who lost their lives this morning.”
“Fran and I are absolutely heartbroken over the horrible attack that occurred this morning in Dayton,” DeWine wrote on Twitter. “We join those across Ohio and this country in offering our prayers to victims and their families.”
Fran and I are absolutely heartbroken over the horrible attack that occurred this morning in Dayton. We join those across Ohio and this country in offering our prayers to victims and their families.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) August 4, 2019
The governor praised the actions of first responders and law enforcement, saying, “I commend Dayton Police and other first responders for their bravery and quick response to save lives and bring an end to this tragedy.”
I commend Dayton Police and other first responders for their bravery and quick response to save lives and bring an end to this tragedy.
I have ordered that flags in Ohio remain at half mast in honor and memory of the victims who lost their lives this morning.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) August 4, 2019
‘Heartbroken’
Whaley said in a tweet following the deadly shooting that the incident has left her “heartbroken.”
She added authorities would issue an update as more information became known and thanked first responders for their service.
“I’m heartbroken. Thank you to our first responders for all that you’ve done. We will share updates as we have more information.”
I’m heartbroken. Thank you to our first responders for all that you’ve done. We will share updates as we have more information.
— Nan Whaley (@nanwhaley) August 4, 2019
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
