On August 28, 2022, a tragic shooting incident occurred at the Safeway supermarket located in the Forum Shopping Center in Bend, Oregon, resulting in the deaths of two individuals, including 84-year-old Glenn Edward Bennett.
Glenn Edward Bennett, a resident of Bend, Oregon for 28 years, was born on September 8, 1937, in Gillette, Wyoming. He had a distinguished life, having served his country in Korea and continued to serve his community until his passing.
On the evening of August 28, 2022, Bennett was shopping at the Safeway when the shooting took place. He was shot inside the west entrance of the store by the gunman.
The shooter was identified as 20-year-old Ethan Blair Miller. Miller approached the Safeway from a residential area behind the shopping center, moving through the parking lot and firing rounds from an AR-15-style rifle. He then entered the Safeway grocery store, where he shot Glenn Edward Bennett at the entrance. Miller continued firing inside the store, fatally shooting another victim, 66-year-old Safeway employee Donald Ray Surrett Jr., in the produce aisle. Surrett is hailed as a hero for attempting to disarm the gunman, an action that likely prevented further deaths.
Ethan Blair Miller died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound before police could apprehend him. When officers entered the Safeway, they found Miller deceased near an AR-15-style weapon and a shotgun. No police shots were fired during the incident. In addition to the fatalities, two other people suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the shooting.
Following the incident, authorities conducted a thorough investigation, including a search of Miller's vehicle and apartment. In his car, they found three Molotov cocktails and a sawed-off shotgun, along with additional ammunition in his apartment. The police are working with the ATF to determine if the guns were acquired legally. The investigation also involves examining online posts by Miller, including a possible manifesto, to understand his motives and any potential connections to the Safeway or the victims. It was noted that Miller had no criminal history in the area and no prior threats or warnings were known before the incident.
The heroic actions of Donald Ray Surrett Jr. were highlighted by the police, who stated that his attempt to disarm the shooter likely saved lives. The quick response of the police and Surrett's bravery were credited with minimizing the number of casualties in this tragic event.
