Ohio native John Legend visited Dayton, performing for families of victims and workers in the city’s Oregon District a week after nine people were killed in a mass shooting.
Legend visited businesses in the entertainment district, discussed gun reform and met with Mayor Nan Whaley on Sunday. “In light of last week’s events, it is more important than ever for us to come together to support our local communities,” Legend said on Twitter alongside photos of himself speaking with store owners.
“I just played a few songs to try to help bring comfort to some of the survivors of last week’s tragedy in Dayton. My heart breaks for everyone who lost someone,” Legend said on Instagram alongside a photo of his performance. “I love how everyone rallies around one another during their time of grief. But our nation should not keep putting ourselves through these preventable traumas. Let’s fix it together,” he wrote.
Besides the nine deaths, at least 31 people were injured in the August 4th shooting. The gunman, identified as 24-year-old Connor Betts, was shot dead by police. His sister, 22-year-old Megan, was among the victims. Twenty-two people were killed August 3rd at an El Paso Walmart. Three people were killed and several others were injured in a shooting at a garlic festival July 28th in Gilroy.