Surveillance video of police officers firing at shooter can be viewed above. Due to the graphic nature of the content, some may find the video disturbing.
DAYTON, Ohio - Of all the politicians and everyday people who praised Dayton police for their quick, heroic response to Sunday’s mass shooting, perhaps none was as grateful as former Mayor Mike Turner.
The U.S. Congressman got a call from his daughter at 2 a.m. Sunday, saying she had been across the street when bullets started to fly and nine people were gunned down in the Historic Oregon District.
“It was extraordinary that they were able to respond so quickly. As a result of police actions, my daughter as well as hundreds of others in the Oregon District last night are alive today,” Turner said at a Sunday news conference.
Officials say there's no telling how much higher the casualty toll – including at least 27 wounded - would have been if six Dayton police officers hadn't ended Connor Betts' rain of gunfire in less than 30 seconds.
The officers charged down the street toward the sound of gunfire with guns drawn.
“I'm just still completely amazed at the heroic nature of our police department,” Mayor Nan Whaley said.
In the security video above, you can see panicked people scattering up Fifth Street as the shooting broke out. Two officers run around the corner and out of frame. As more people run, three more Dayton officers round the bend and fire from a distance.
Then an officer with a long gun comes out from behind a police cruiser at the top of the screen.
He and another officer walk toward the scene. This is the moment police stop Betts.
You see Betts come from the right side of the screen. We aren't showing you the moment police fire the fatal shots as Betts tried to enter Ned Peppers bar.
Officers stopped Betts' massacre in less than 30 seconds.
The heroes were identified as 22-year-veteran Sgt. William Chad Knight and officers Brian Rolfes, Jeremy Campbell, Vincent Carter, Ryan Nabel and David Denlinger.
Knight was just promoted to sergeant last year. The other five were all sworn in 2016.
Dayton Police Chief Richard Biehl said if the officers hadn't stopped Betts from getting inside Ned Peppers bar the horrible carnage would have been “catastrophic.”
It was crucial had this individual made it through the doorway of Ned Peppers with that kind of weaponry - there would’ve been a catastrophic injury and loss of life," Biehl said.
“It really does tell me a lot about local public servants - police, fire and rescue operations,” said Sen. Sherrod Brown, (D), Ohio.
“This courage was extraordinary and saved live - probably hundreds of lives, given the situation,” said Sen. Rob Portman, (R), Ohio.
"It is a terrible day for Dayton, but I am so grateful for Dayton Police's fast action," Mayor Nan Whaley said.
I’m heartbroken. Thank you to our first responders for all that you’ve done. We will share updates as we have more information.
— Nan Whaley (@nanwhaley) August 4, 2019
