Body armor-clad shooter in Ohio stopped ‘in under a minute’ by cops; mayor says ‘hundreds’ saved

Nine people were killed and dozens were hurt when a suspect wearing body armor opened fire outside a bar in Dayton, Ohio, early Sunday before responding officers shot the armed assailant to death less than a minute into the rampage, according to officials.

It was the nation’s second mass shooting in less than 24 hours after at least 20 people were slain in El Paso, Texas.

The Dayton Police Department said on Twitter the incident unfolded at 1 a.m. in the city’s Oregon District near downtown, but officers were nearby and “were able to respond and put an end to it quickly.”

Officers killed the lone suspect after he fired for less than a minute from a “.223 high-capacity” gun, and he had additional magazines with him, Mayor Nan Whaley said. The .223 caliber is used in rifles like the AR-15 assault rifle used in previous mass shootings.

Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley said at a Sunday morning news conference the shooter was wearing body armor and had extra magazines. The Oregon District was filled with “thousands” of people out on a weekend night at the time, according to Whaley. Officers were also stationed in the neighborhood and were able to halt the rampage less than a minute after it began, the mayor added.

“If Dayton police had not gotten to the shooter in under a minute — and figure that 26 injured, 9 dead — hundreds of people in the Oregon District could be dead today,” Whaley told reporters.

The Oregon District is a historic neighborhood that Carper described as “a safe part of downtown,” home to entertainment options, including bars, restaurants and theaters. The shooting took place outside, on the 400-block of East 5th Street.

Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, said on Twitter that his daughter and a family friend had entered the Tumbleweed Connection when the shooting began “across the street.”

“Both reported of the visible @DaytonPolice presence before the shooting and the bravery they witnessed as officers ran toward the gun shots,” Turner said, adding in a subsequent tweet “My daughter & friend fled into #OregonDistrict & contacted me at 2am. As they ran home, I followed their progress & prayed for them & our community. Thank you to @DaytonPolice for their bravery in stopping this evil.”

My daughter & friend fled into #OregonDistrict & contacted me at 2am. As they ran home, I followed their progress & prayed for them & our community. Thank you to @DaytonPolice for their bravery in stopping this evil.

— US Rep. Mike Turner (@RepMikeTurner) August 4, 2019

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said he was “absolutely heartbroken” over the Dayton shooting.

“I commend Dayton Police and other first responders for their bravery and quick response to save lives and bring an end to this tragedy,” the governor said in a statement.

DeWine said he spoke with Dayton’s mayor and offered any assistance on behalf of the state.

“I have been briefed by the Ohio Department of Public Safety, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol has offered assistance to local law enforcement as they investigate this heinous act,” DeWine said, in part. “I have ordered that flags in Ohio remain at half-mast in honor and memory of the victims who lost their lives this morning.”

President Trump tweeted praise of law enforcement and said that “information is rapidly being accumulated in Dayton.”

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

In a second tweet, he wrote, “God bless the people of El Paso Texas. God bless the people of Dayton, Ohio.”

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