Dayton Shooting: Memorial fund created; committee members announced

UPDATE @ 4:04 p.m.:

The city of Dayton has released initial plans in the creation of a permanent memorial to honor the victims and survivors of the Oregon District mass shooting and celebrate the community’s strength.

>> Mayor wants Dayton to consider permanent memorial to shooting victims

The Dayton Foundation created a separate fund for anyone interested in donating to the memorial fund.

Donations should be directed to fund 8375 at www.thedaytonfoundation.org or can be sent in by mail to The Dayton Foundation at 1401 S. Main St., Suite 100, Dayton, Ohio, 45409.

More than 10 people are on the initial committee tasked with creating the memorial, including:

  • Sandy Gudorf, Downtown Dayton Partnership
  • Sandy Hunt, Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office, Victim Witness Division
  • Rob Jones, Ferncliff Cemetery and Oregon District resident
  • Chris Kershner, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Dan "Wiley" Lafferty, Oregon District business owner
  • Michelle Lovely, Dayton Foundation
  • City Commissioner Chris Shaw
  • Natalie Skilliter, Corner Kitchen and Oregon District Business Association
  • Austin Smith, Ned Peppers and Hole in the Wall
  • Mike Parks, Dayton Foundation
  • Mayor Nan Whaley

The committee met earlier Friday to begin discussions on the memorial.

It is expected to be long-term process and the committee will look to community input from victims' families, people who live and work in the Oregon District and people from the surrounding area.
During the press conference Friday afternoon, Whaley stressed that project is a "long-term process" because many people are still grieving the incident.

Multiple temporary memorials were outside of Ned Peppers bar on East Fifth Street, but the have since been moved and archived at Dayton History.

>> RELATED: Dayton Shooting: Oregon District memorials moved, city plans permanent tribute

Whaley said that the committee has not yet decided what the memorial will look like.

Multiple people interested in donating art or their talents have reached out to different groups with ideas for the memorial.

Anyone with ideas or willing to donate art can contact Darius Beckham at darius.beckham@daytonohio.gov or 937-333-3659.

“This memorial will become a very important site for grieving and remembrance," said Whaley. "That is why it is especially important that our community plans together, plans carefully, and has respect for the people who were directly affected by the shooting. Many of those who live and work in the District are still struggling with the tragedy, and we want to be respectful and plan for a permanent memorial with the blessing of those who were and still are closest to the event.”

>> Friend of Oregon District shooter to remain behind bars

INITIAL REPORT:

Mayor Nan Whaley will be providing an update at 4 p.m. on the city’s plans to create a permanent memorial at the Oregon District.

“We want to be very thoughtful as we begin the process of developing a permanent memorial,” she said.

The update will be held at the Dayton City Commission Chambers.

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