Coroner says Two victims in Dayton shot with police bullets

Toxicology says shooter had drugs in his system

CINCINNATI – One victim of the mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio, was struck by two bullets fired by police after she was dying from a shot fired by the gunman, Connnor Betts, Montgomery County’s coroner said Thursday.

Kent Harshbarger said the first round that struck her was the lethal round, and it was from Betts’ gun.

At a news conference, Harshbarger said he determined that “by positioning, by pathway, by evaluating the scene, (and) the video evidence.”

He said the bleeding process had started, and she was on the ground when she was struck by the two bullets fired by police.

Officials did not specify which victim it was, other than to say it was a woman.

A second victim sustained a “superficial” gunshot wound from police, Harshbarger said. That person was shot multiple times by Betts, he said.

The coroner also said toxicology results showed Betts had cocaine, alcohol and the prescription drug Xanax in his system. The concentrations had not been determined.

Dayton Police Chief Richard Biehl talked about the victims’ families, saying: “I express my deepest condolences for their loss and profound regret for any actions taken by members of the Dayton Police Department resulting in any harm to their loved ones.”

Of the 17 injured, Biehl said, it is believed none was shot by police. One small projectile fragment has not yet been matched to a firearm, he said.

Betts suffered at least 24 gunshot wounds, Harshbarger said. After being shot, Biehl said, Betts tried at least twice to get up. Officers, Biehl said, are trained to use force until a threat has ended.

“He is still armed, he still has significant firepower,” Biehl said. “Until he is separated from his firepower, lethal force is warranted.”

Earlier this week, Biehl would not confirm whether all the victims of the shooting were killed or shot by Betts. He said the coroner would examine that issue.

Ten people, including the gunman, were killed in the shooting in the Oregon District. Officials on Tuesday updated the casualty list to 17 wounded by gunfire.

Betts, 24, of Bellbrook was shot and killed by police 32 seconds after the shooting began. He was armed with .223-caliber “assault-style” weapon and had body armor and extra magazines, according to officials.

On Aug. 9, the coroner released preliminary causes of death for the victims and the gunman:

❚ Monica E. Brickhouse, 39, was killed by multiple gunshot wounds.

❚ Nicholas P. Cumer, 25, was killed by multiple gunshot wounds.

❚ Derrick R. Fudge, 57, was killed by gunshot wounds of the torso.

❚ Thomas J. McNichols Sr., 25, was killed by multiple gunshot wounds.

❚ Lois L. Oglesby, 27, was killed by gunshot wound of the head.

❚ Saeed S. Edris, 38, was killed by gunshot wounds of the torso.

❚ Logan M. Turner, 30, was killed by multiple gunshot wounds.

❚ Beatrice N. Warren-Curtis, 36, was killed by gunshot wounds of the torso and right arm.

❚ Megan Betts, 22, was killed by gunshot wounds to the chest and right arm.

❚ Connor S. Betts, 24, was killed by multiple gunshot wounds.

ASSOCIATED PRESS A makeshift memorial sits outside Ned Peppers nightclub in the neighborhood where on Aug. 4 a gunman killed nine people.