DAYTON – A crowd at a vigil honoring nine adults killed and others wounded by a gunman in Dayton interrupted a speech by Ohio’s Republican governor with shouts of “Make a change.”
As Gov. Mike DeWine told the crowd Sunday evening that the families’ pain can’t be erased, many started chanting: “Do something!”
Mayor Nan Whaley sought to calm them, saying the vigil was intended for the victims and there will be time later for dealing with policy issues.
As names of the slain victims were read aloud, the audience repeated each one.
.Police say the shooter opened fire in the area around 1 a.m. Sunday in a popular entertainment district, killing his sister and eight others. Police say he was fatally shot by officers within 30 seconds.
Nine white doves were released to honor the victims killed in the shooting.
Hundreds of people, mostly young adults, gathered Sunday evening at the scene in Dayton’s Oregon District. They sang “Amazing Grace” and erupted in cheers at the mention of emergency responders who had rushed to the scene.
Cyndi Johnson, who lives nearby, says the Oregon District is an area people visit to celebrate bridal showers and 21st birthdays. She says it’s not scary, and she doesn’t want it known that way.