Grant money to aid survivors of Dayton shooting
Victim and survivors of the mass shooting in Dayton's Oregon District will benefit from a $488,054 federal grant designed to defray mental health care costs.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced the grant award on Wednesday, more than two years after the Aug. 4, 2019 shooting.
“This money will support necessary and ongoing trauma-informed, evidence-based healing and resiliency services to direct and indirect victims of the shooting,” Acting U.S. Attorney
Patel said in a written statement. “Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost's office will coordinate and administer the grant that will help pay for four additional mental health counselors and related costs at two mental health facilities to help those affected by the shooting.”
Nine people died when 24-year-old Connor Betts opened fire in the popular, crowded entertainment district. Dayton police officers ran toward the gunfire and killed Betts in less than 35 seconds.
Patel also announced $2.2 million in grants from the Department of Justice office on violence against women:
h $600,000 for the Legal Aid Society of Cincinnati and $600,000 for the
Ohio Domestic Violence Network for legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.
h $449,999 for Equitas Health for outreach to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking in underserved populations.
h $549,998 to Fairfield County for families with a history of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking or in cases involving allegations of child sexual abuse.
Laura Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.