Connor Betts

Mass Murderer

Connor Betts and the 2019 Dayton Mass Shooting

Overview of the Attack

Connor Stephen Betts was the 24-year-old perpetrator of the mass shooting that occurred during the early morning of August 4, 2019, in Dayton, Ohio. Armed with a high-powered, AR-style firearm and a 100-round drum magazine, Betts opened fire on people gathered in the city's Oregon Historic District, a popular nightlife area filled with bars, restaurants and late-night crowds. He killed nine people and wounded 17 others with gunfire before Dayton police officers shot and killed him. Ten additional people suffered other injuries while escaping or reacting to the attack. The shooting began at approximately 1:05 a.m. near East Fifth Street, close to Blind Bob's bar, the Ned Peppers nightclub and a taco stand. Betts fired 41 rounds in less than 30 seconds while advancing toward the entrance of Ned Peppers. Six Dayton police officers stationed nearby immediately confronted him. Betts was struck by police gunfire and stopped approximately 32 seconds after firing his first shot. Authorities later stated that the officers' rapid response likely prevented him from entering the crowded nightclub and killing many more people.

Events Before the Shooting

During the evening of August 3 and the early morning of August 4, Betts traveled to Dayton's Oregon District with his 22-year-old sibling, Megan Betts, and a friend. The three visited Blind Bob's, a bar on East Fifth Street. At approximately 12:13 a.m., Connor Betts separated from the other two. He later spent time inside Ned Peppers before leaving the area and returning to his vehicle, which was parked behind the nearby Thai 9 restaurant. At the vehicle, Betts retrieved the firearm, ammunition and protective equipment he had brought with him. He wore body armor, hearing protection, a dark jacket and a mask that concealed part of his face. He carried an Anderson Manufacturing AR-style pistol chambered in .223 caliber and fitted with a 100-round drum magazine. Investigators also found a 12-gauge shotgun in his vehicle, but it was not used during the attack. Betts walked through an alley near Blind Bob's and spent several minutes preparing the weapon. Investigators later recovered a live cartridge from that area. He then approached East Fifth Street, where his sibling, their friend and numerous other people were gathered near a taco stand and outside the surrounding businesses.

The Shooting on East Fifth Street

At approximately 1:05 a.m. on August 4, Betts began firing as he emerged from the alley. Saeed Saleh was among the first people struck. Gunfire also killed Megan Betts and wounded the friend who had accompanied the siblings to the Oregon District. Investigators were unable to determine conclusively whether Betts intentionally targeted Megan or knew precisely where Megan was standing when he began shooting. Betts continued east along East Fifth Street and fired into groups of people on the sidewalk. Lois Oglesby was fatally wounded during this portion of the attack. Betts then moved between parked vehicles and shot Derrick Fudge. He continued across and along the street, discharging repeated bursts toward people attempting to flee, hide or reach nearby businesses. As Betts advanced toward Ned Peppers, he fired into the crowd outside the nightclub. Logan Turner, Nicholas Cumer, Thomas McNichols, Monica Brickhouse and Beatrice Warren-Curtis were killed in this final portion of the attack. Numerous other people were wounded. Some victims collapsed on the pavement, while others sought shelter inside bars, behind vehicles or in nearby doorways. Betts then ran toward the entrance of Ned Peppers, where a large number of patrons were attempting to escape or take cover. Dayton police officers were already positioned in the district as part of routine weekend security. They engaged Betts almost immediately. He fell only a short distance from the nightclub entrance and was pronounced dead at the scene. ...

Confirmed Victims: (9)

Jordan Cofer [Betts] 22 yr old Male

2019 Dayton shooting