As victims of the Dayton, Ohio shooting have been identified, it has been reported that the deceased gunman’s sister was also killed in the massacre.
Around 1 a.m. on Sunday, 24-year-old Connor Betts opened fire with a .223 high-capacity rifle outside of Ned Peppers bar in downtown Dayton, killing nine people including his 22-year-old sister Megan and injuring at least 26 others, authorities said in a press conference.
“We will never know how many lives were saved,” Gov. Mike DeWine said during a press conference on Sunday afternoon. “The police department and the mayor gave me, my wife and I, the tour. The assailant was obviously very, very close to being able to kill dozens and dozens of more people.”
According to reports, Betts was shot dead by officers who were stationed nearby the popular Oregon entertainment district plaza within minutes as he attempted to enter the bar.
Per the New York Times, police said they continue to search for a motive, but they did not indicate whether the shooting was a targeted attack intended for the gunman’s younger sister or any other group in particular.
“Due to the very short timeline of violence, it’s hard to imagine there was much discrimination in the shooting,” Police Lt. Col. Matt Carper said.
