Advertisement Police: Dayton gunman fired at least 41 shots in 30 seconds, killing 9 Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Police said the gunman who fired into a crowd in Dayton fired at least 41 times before being shot dead by officers 30 seconds later.Investigators said Monday they are not close enough in their investigation to release a possible motive for the gunman, Connor Betts, 24, who fired into a crowd in Dayton, killing nine people and wounding dozens of others. The sister of the shooter, Megan Betts, 22, was one of the victims shot and killed. At 1:05 a.m. Sunday, a man wearing body armor and carrying high-capacity magazines fired dozens of rounds into a crowd outside Ned Peppers, a nightclub on East Fifth Street. According to Dayton Police Chief Richard Biehl, Betts arrived in the same vehicle as his sister and his sister's friend on the night of the shooting. They parked several blocks away from Ned Peppers. At some point in the night, they separated, but Betts came back to open fire on his sister and others, Biehl said. Megan Betts' companion was injured but is expected to survive, Biehl said.Police said they may never know if Betts targeted his sister in the shooting.In addition to the shooter's sister, the victims were identified as Lois Ogelsby, 27; Saeed Saleh, 38; Derrick Fudge, 57; Logan Turner, 30; Nicholas Cummer, 25; Thomas McNichols, 25; Beatrice Curtis, 36; and Monica Brickhouse, 39.Megan Betts was a student at Wright State University, spokesman Seth Bauguess said. She was studying earth and environmental science. Bauguess said she was the only WSU student or employee involved in the shooting. Bellbrook's police chief said the parents of Megan and Connor Betts aren't ready to speak and ask for privacy for themselves and their neighbors."They are victims, and we are treating them as such and are being careful and cautious with them," the police chief said. Connor Betts was previously enrolled at Sinclair Community College, President of Sinclair College Steve Johnson said. "We have learned that the person who is suspected of perpetrating this heinous crime was previously enrolled as a Sinclair student though was not actively enrolled this summer term. We are actively working with law enforcement to provide any and all information we may have to assist them in the response to this horrific act," Johnson said. Biehl said that stopping Betts before he could get inside the bar was essential. Loss of life could have been "catastrophic," according to Biehl.Five officers and a sergeant were placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol, according to Biehl."I'm amazed at the quick response of Dayton police that literally saved hundreds of lives," said Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley.Whaley said that thousands of people were in the popular Oregon District, home to entertainment options, including bars, restaurants and theaters.Police said Betts was carrying a .223-caliber rifle and additional high-capacity magazines, Whaley said. Biehl said the gun Betts used originated from Texas, but was transferred to him at a local gun store. A shotgun was found in the gunman's car, Biehl said.Police said if the magazines were completely full, Betts would have had a maximum of 250 rounds at the time.Police said there's nothing in the suspect's history that would have excluded him from purchasing the firearm.Police believe the he acted alone but added that it's still early in the investigation. There is no remaining threat to the community, authorities added.Police said they are "not close enough" to releasing a motive and still need a lot of time to investigate. Federal and local authorities are searching a Bellbrook home in connection with the mass shooting but have not yet revealed their findings. Bellbrook is a small city in Greene County, located about 15 miles south of Dayton's Oregon District, where the shooting happened. At least 27 people were taken to area hospitals. Police said of the 27 wounded, at least 14 were treated for gunshot wounds. They say at least 15 of the wounded have been released, and 11 people remain in the hospital.Police Lt. Col. Matt Carper told reporters the incident could have been far worse. Carper said that the incident ended quickly, because officers were already patrolling in the area when the gunshots started. "As bad as this is, it could have been much, much worse, as I think everyone will become aware of here as more information unfolds," Carper said.Carper called the Oregon District a relatively safe part of town."This is extremely unusual, obviously, for any community, let alone Dayton," Carper said. "In our Oregon District, this is unheard of." Witnesses described the scene as they were rushed out of bars in the downtown area. One woman described the moment she knew this scene was different."The screams, the cruisers, the chaos. I have never been pushed out of Newcomb's but the security guards were running around telling people to get out," Nikita Pappillion said. "Just how everybody was acting, you knew something was wrong. When you came outside, as soon as you get to Front Street you see the bodies and you knew that this was different, and you knew it was something that you never thought of experiencing, never experienced, wouldn't want anyone to experience." A family assistance center will be set up at the Dayton Convention Center. A dedicated phone line has been established for anyone with information about the incident or to get information. That number is 937-225-6217. Those interested in helping the victims can donate here.The FBI is assisting with the investigation. They're asking that anyone with information, videos or pictures that could be valuable to the investigation submit them at www.fbi.gov/daytonshooting. 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 El Paso shooting was the 21st mass killing in the United States in 2019, according to the AP/USATODAY/Northeastern University mass murder database that tracks all U.S. homicides since 2006 involving four or more people killed -- not including the offender - over a short period of time regardless of weapon, location, victim-offender relationship or motive. That makes Sunday's shooting in Dayton the 22nd mass killing in the U.S. this year.The first 20 mass killings in the U.S. in 2019 claimed 96 lives.