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9 dead in Ohio in second US mass shooting within 24 hours

Authorities work the scene of a mass shooting, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019, in Dayton, Ohio. A several people in Ohio have been killed in the second mass shooting in the U.S. in less than 24 hours, and the suspected shooter is also deceased, police said. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — Nine people are dead after a mass shooting in the Oregon District in downtown Dayton, Ohio early Sunday morning.

Authorities say the suspect has also died.

App users click here to watch a live stream from the scene

The shooting happened just after 1 a.m. in the 400 block of East Fifth St. Police say 26 people were injured and taken to area hospitals in unknown conditions.

Police believe there was only one shooter, and have not yet identified the suspect or a motive. The suspect used a .223 caliber rifle and fired multiple rounds.

“Fortunately, we had multiple officers in the immediate vicinity when the incident started. There was a very short timeline of violence. For that, we are very fortunate,” Carper said.

Police are still working to identify the suspect and do not have any information about a possible motive.

President Trump tweeted Sunday morning about the shootings in both Dayton and El Paso, Texas.

Gov. Mike DeWine issued the following statement about the mass shooting just before 7 a.m. on Sunday.

“Fran and I are absolutely heartbroken over the horrible attack that occurred this morning in Dayton. We join those across Ohio and this country in offering our prayers to victims and their families. I have spoken with Mayor Nan Whaley 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. I commend Dayton Police and other first responders for their bravery and quick response to save lives and bring an end to this tragedy.”

– Gov. Mike DeWine

Gov. DeWine ordered flags in Ohio to remain at half-mast in honor and memory of the victims who lost their lives Sunday morning.

Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley will hold a news conference Sunday morning.

According to a Kettering Medical Center spokesperson, 13 victims are being treated at Kettering Hospitals, nine of those are at Grandview Medical Center. Most of the victims suffered gunshot wounds to the lower body. Two people have been treated and released.

“This is extremely unusual, obviously, for any community, let alone Dayton,” Carper said. “In our Oregon District, this is unheard of.”

The mass shooting in Dayton came hours after a young man opened fire in a crowded El Paso, Texas, shopping area, leaving 20 dead and more than two dozen injured. Just days before, on July 28, a 19-year-old shot and killed three people, including two children, at Northern California’s Gilroy Garlic Festival.

The first 20 mass killings in the U.S. in 2019 claimed 96 lives.