DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — A masked gunman in body armor opened fire early Sunday in a popular entertainment district in Dayton, Ohio, killing nine people, including his sister, and wounding dozens before he was quickly slain by police, officials said.
Police released a timeline of events surrounding the shooting Sunday afternoon, detailing the events that took place.
At 1:05 a.m., officers were patrolling the Oregon District during bar closing time when they heard the shots fired and saw a crowd running away.
Police say Connor Betts, 24, was armed with a .223-caliber rifle with magazines capable of holding at least 100 rounds of ammunition. Officers advanced toward the gunfire and engaged Betts while he was still firing and attempting to enter the bar.
“Officers were patrolling the Oregon District during bar close time and heard gunfire. They observed a large crowd running away from the gunfire. The officers immediately advanced toward gunfire, and within 20 seconds, they engaged the suspect who was actively firing and shooting in an establishment,” Police Chief Richard Biehl said.
Officers shot Betts within 30 seconds of him first opening fire. Betts was killed at an entrance to a bar where people were taking cover, Biehl said, adding that had Betts gotten inside, the result would have been "catastrophic."
“It was crucial. Had this individual made it through the doorway of Ned Peppers, with that level of weaponry, there would have been a catastrophic number of injuries and loss of life. Stopping him before he could get inside there — you saw the people who were running in there for protection — it was essential in minimizing to the degree we could (prevent) casualties and deaths from this incident,” Biehl said.
The Dayton Police Chief says Betts bought the gun legally. It was purchased online from Texas, and he bought it from a local gun shop. Police say Betts was with his sister and another man earlier in the night, but Betts left.
“What he did during that time when they separated is a question, and a part of our investigation,” Biehl said.
When Betts came back, that’s when the shooting happened. Police say Betts shot and killed his sister, 8 others and injured the man who was with them, along with 26 others. Police don’t know if his sister was a target.
“That’s really something we can’t tell at this point. It’s a question, a nagging question. I just don’t have the answer,” Biehl said.
Police are looking into Betts’ background and social media to see what the possible motivation could be, but say it’s too early to guess right now.
The FBI is asking for anyone with not just information, but video surrounding the shooting, to contact them here.