President Donald Trump ordered flags flown at half-staff for the mass shootings in Dayton and in El Paso.
“The FBI, local and state law enforcement are working together in El Paso and in Dayton, Ohio,” President Donald Trump tweeted early Sunday. “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!”
In a statement issued later in the day, President Trump ordered flags lowered for the tragedies.
“As a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the terrible acts of violence perpetrated on August 3, 2019, in El Paso, Texas, and on August 4, 2019, in Dayton, Ohio, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, August 8, 2019. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations,” Trump said.
Other elected officials are also reacting to the shooting.
“Fran and I are absolutely heartbroken over the horrible attack that occurred this morning in Dayton,” Gov. Mike DeWine tweeted. “We join those across Ohio and this country in offering our prayers to victims and their families.”
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also commented on the shooting.
“The hearts of all Americans break for the families and friends of those injured and murdered, and our prayers go out to everyone impacted in this latest act of terror,” she said. “May it be a comfort to the entire Dayton community that so many Americans grieve with and pray for them at this terrible time.”
A shooting with multiple fatalities and dozens of people wounded happened around 1:20 a.m. near Ned Peppers Bar on East Fifth Street in the city of Dayton’s Oregon District.
“I have spoken with @nanwhaley 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 also tweeted.
The shooter, who was later identified, used a .223-caliber high-capacity magazine rifle and was wearing a mask or covering over his face.
“If the Dayton police had not gotten to the shooter in under a minute, hundreds of people in the Oregon District would be dead today,” Whaley said in a press conference.
“This is the 250th mass shooting in America,” she said. “It’s sad that it’s in the city of Dayton.”
U.S. Rep. Mike Turner said his daughter had been in the Oregon District last night.
“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,” Turner tweeted.
Former Montgomery County Sheriff Phil Plummer, now a state lawmaker, said he has never seen anything like this in his career in law enforcement.
“I really want to thank law enforcement,” Plummer said. “They did their jobs. They stopped this guy within a minute, they ran to the gunfire and took care of business. And that’s what we ask out of them.”
When asked about his response as a member of the General Assembly, he said: “We have to really all sit down and have a candid conversation about this. Both sides need to give a little and let’s meet in the middle, because clearly what we are doing now is not working.”
Sen. Sherrod Brown also reacted.
“As Ohio wakes up this morning to the news of this horrific attack, Connie and I are filled with sadness for the victims and their families and gratitude for the police officers who responded to the scene and the medical professionals caring for the injured,” Brown tweeted.
Added the senator: “We are also angry — angry that shooting after shooting politicians in Washington and Columbus refuse to pass sensible gun-safety laws to protect our communities. We are still learning about the attack in Dayton and we don’t know exactly what, if anything, could have prevented…”
“We are still learning about the attack in Dayton and we don’t know exactly what, if anything, could have prevented this specific tragedy,” Brown said further in a statement early Sunday from his office. “But we know thoughts and prayers are not enough, we have a responsibility to act.
“My office stands ready to assist the Dayton community with whatever is needed to investigate and recover from this attack.”
“Our hearts are heavy this Sunday morning as our family joins all Ohioans to mourn the loss of innocent lives from the senseless tragedy in Dayton,” Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder said. “The innocent victims & their families are in our prayers. We commend first responders whose bravery & faithful courage saved lives.”
Eric Spina, president of the University of Dayton, also issued a statement on Twitter:
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued the following statement:
“Today is a day of sorrow and grief. Darlene and I are praying for the victims and their families.
I am grateful for the first responders who acted swiftly to de-escalate the situation – they are true heroes.
The resources of my office, including BCI and victim services, stand ready to assist the city of Dayton.”
State Sen. Steve Huffman, R-Tipp City, who represents most of Dayton in the Ohio Senate said he is “devastated.”.
“My family and I were devastated this morning to learn about the tragedy suffered by the Dayton community, and we are prayinfg for the families experiencing unimaginable loss. I’m grateful for the selfless efforts of our first responders who immediately helped those in need and protected more from being harmed, and I appreciate the Governor making all needed state resources available to the people of Dayton.”
The Ohio chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released its own statement, calling for politicians to act.
Susie Lane, a Dayton-area volunteer with the Ohio Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, said: “Americans should not have to live like this, and nobody deserves to die like this. No one law will stop all gun violence, but there is action lawmakers can take now to keep guns away from people who shouldn’t have them. The U.S. House of Representatives has already passed a bill to require background checks on all gun sales. The U.S. Senate must follow their lead, and Congress needs to pass a strong Red Flags law that allows for intervention before crises turn into deadly tragedies.”
Former Gov. John Kasich said “it’s well past time that our leaders take steps to find sensible solutions to reduce this gun violence.”
We are all devastated to learn of what happened early this morning in Dayton. It’s absolutely heartbreaking and I commend the brave first responders who acted so quickly to save lives. As we saw yesterday in El Paso, these horrific acts of violence are becoming too common in our communities and it’s well past time that our leaders take steps to find sensible solutions to reduce this gun violence.
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© 2019 the Dayton Daily News (Dayton, Ohio)
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
