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NEWS Victims and Gunman of Safeway Shooting Identified
One victim, Donald Ray Surrett Jr., attempted to disarm the shooter during an attempted rampage
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By Jack Harvel
Courtesy GoFundMe
Donald Surrett, Jr. An archive photo of Glenn Bennett.
Eighty-four-year-old Glenn Bennet and 66 year-old Donald Ray Surrett Jr. were shot and killed by 20-year-old Ethan Miller at the Safeway on Highway 20 on Sunday, Aug. 28, according to police spokesperson Sheila Miller.
The first shots occurred at approximately 7:04 pm, police said, as Miller made his way from his home in the Fox Hollow Apartments down the sidewalk at the Forum Shopping Center in Bend. He fired shots from an AR-style rifle into Big Lots before moving to Safeway. Miller shot and killed Bennet, a shopper in the entryway, before moving toward the back of the store. Surret Jr., a Safeway employee, reportedly tried to disarm Miller before being shot and killed.
“Surrett engaged with the shooter, attempted to disarm him and may very well have prevented further deaths. Mr. Surrett acted heroically during this terrible incident,” Bend Public Information Officer Miller said at a press conference.
Police reported two other victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Miller died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the produce section of Safeway, near where Surret Jr. confronted the shooter.
Police arrived on scene within three minutes after shots were reported, entering the building while shots were still being fired, finding Miller deceased with an AR-style rifle and 12-gauge shotgun. PIO Miller said the time of first dispatch to the discovery of Miller’s body was around four minutes.
Police began locking down the area after hearing reports of a second shooter. BPD says there is no evidence suggesting there was a second shooter, or that shootings occurred in the Reed Market area, as was widely shared on social media the night of the shooting at Safeway.
Statements from the shooter prompted BPD to contact the Oregon State Police bomb squad, who cleared Safeway and the shooter’s Fox Hollow apartment building. A search of the shooter’s vehicle found three Molotov cocktails, a sawed-off shotgun, “digital devices” and additional ammunition.
The scene was still being investigated and PIO Miller expects the investigation in the area will remain active through Tuesday. It’s unknown how the shooter obtained the guns, and BPD has partnered with the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to determine how he obtained the guns. Miller asked anyone with relevant information to contact them at 541-322-6380.
Two officers and mental health professionals will be stationed at Mick’s Drive at the Forum to return property left at the store and cars left in the parking lot.
Police didn’t confirm whether a since-removed manifesto attributed to Miller posted on Wattpad, an online social reading platform, just before the shooting was legitimate. The manifesto outlined how the writer of the post purchased an AR-15 and a 12-guage shotgun and built a sawedoff shotgun and Molotov cocktails, details unknown to the public until the press conference on Monday.
The manifesto, titled “The Downward Spiral of Ethan Miller,” indicated that the writer of the post’s initial target was Mountain View High School on Sept. 8, the first day of the school year. In the manifesto he ranted against COVID laws, a lack of meaningful friendly and romantic relationships and his distaste for modern society while fantasizing about committing mass violence against innocent people.
In the wake of the shootings, local and statewide officials mourned the loss of Bennet and Surrett Jr. Gov. Kate Brown asked Oregonians to keep the victims in their thoughts and hearts and praised Surrett Jr. for confronting the shooter. Rep. Jason Kropf (D-Bend) gave condolences to the victims and their families, shared appreciation for first responders, hospital workers and store employees who kept people safe, and reaffirmed commitment to end gun violence. Bend Mayor Pro Tem Anthony Broadman released a statement and later spoke during a press conference on Monday.
“We need to guard against the cynicism of thinking these attacks on order and peace as regular unavoidable things, I won’t accept that, and I know the community of Bend won’t accept that either,” Broadman said during the press conference.
A community vigil was held in Drake Park Monday evening to honor Surrett Jr. and Bennet.
A second update from the BPD released just before press time on Tuesday reported that it has recovered more than 100 shell casings from the gunman’s apartment complex, the Forum shopping center and inside Safeway. It’s confirmed Miller briefly worked at the Safeway.
Surrett Jr. had opportunity to flee, but instead moved to hide from the attacker, and attempted to subdue him with a produce knife Surret Jr. kept on his hip. Bennett, who was shot in the entryway of Safeway, was recovered by two community members who re-entered the store to pull him out and deliver him to medics. Law enforcement will remain on scene at the Safeway, though the parking lot will be allowedto reopen.
Remembering Donald and Glenn
By Jack Harvel
Both of those killed during the shooting at a Bend Safeway on Sunday, August 28, were veterans who are remembered for their kindness and bravery. Glenn Bennett, 84, served as an Army medic during the Korean War. He moved to Bend in 1974 at the age of 36 and has lived with his sister for decades, according to a GoFundMe raising money for funeral and mortgage expenses.
“I am raising funds for any funeral expenses and mortgage expenses for my grandma who lost not only her brother but her best friend. Glenn was such a kind, generous, and well spoked man,” wrote Deidre C., the organizer of the fundraiser. “He was a veteran and lived with my grandma before I was even born. My grandma is widowed, and they shared the house together.”
Bennett was a frequent customer at Expressway Deli. in Bend, and several commenters on the GoFundMe page noted how kind he’d been. Diedre said he’d dedicated his life to helping people and that she’s shocked about what’s happened.
Donald Surrett, Jr., 66, a Safeway employee, attempted to disarm the gunman in the Safeway, and police noted he likely saved lives while doing so. Surrett Jr. served as a combat engineer in the Army from 1975 to 1995.
“Don was a Veteran and his instincts kicked in trying to save others. He was shot and killed trying to subdue the young gunman,” Jerilynn Morra, Surret Jr.’s sister-in-law wrote on a GoFundMe page.
Public officials across Oregon praised Surrett Jr.’s heroism, including Gov. Kate Brown and Sen. Jeff Merkley. People close to Surrett Jr. said they weren’t surprised he’d acted decisively. George McCart, who worked with Surrett Jr. At Central Oregon Disabled American Veterans told KOIN, “When you’re trained to do things like that, and he was trained, it becomes an instant reaction.”
As of press time the GoFundMe for Bennett’s family raised over $30,000 of a $20,000 goal and the campaign for Surrett Jr.’s family raised over $45,000 of an $8,000 goal.
Flowers were laid at the stage at Drake Park to honor those killed in an Aug. 28 shooting. Police Spokesperson Sheila Miller gives an update on the Aug. 28 shooting of a Safeway in Bend on Highway 20.
Cedar Creek Fire 12% Contained
The fire has grown to nearly 8,000 acres as firefighters attempt to contain it in inaccessible terrain
By Jack Harvel
Over 1,000 people are working to reduce the Cedar Creek Fire a month after it ignited on harsh terrain three miles west of Waldo Lake in the Willamette National Forest. Within a week it burned over 3,000 acres and as of Aug. 30 it reached 7,821 acres.
The fire’s currently 12% contained, and helicopters are working to drop fire retardant on inaccessible ridges. Trailheads and dispersed camping west and north of Waldo Lake are currently closed, though the lake, campgrounds and trails on the east side are still open.
With the fire burning along roadless areas in steep terrain, firefighters have been using indirect strategies.
“This means they have been constructing fire lines away from the active fire edge, along roads and trails, where they have a better chance of successfully stopping the fire,” according to the Willamette National Forest.
The crews are focusing on drawing fire containment lines on the southeast flank. On the southwest edge burn operations are reducing fuel and attempting to connect it to the 2421 road. Favorable weather over the last couple days gave firefighters the chance to use more direct fire suppression tactics and could potentially suppress the fire more than initially estimated. Smoke is expected to follow downslope air and could impact people in Oakridge and reach as far south as Crater Lake.
The Cedar Creek Fire is the largest of 30 fires started by a lightning storm in the Willamette National Forest. It’s the second largest fire currently burning in Oregon, after the nearly 12,000-acre Rum Creek Fire in Josephine County. The Rum Creek Fire is not expected to be contained until October. The Wilamette National Forest is hosting a community meeting to update people about the current status of the fire.
Courtesy of Inciweb.
Firefighters work along Black Creek Road to contain the Rum Creek Fire on August 27.
Blending Nature with Medicine
, N.D.
NEWS Víctimas y el tirador de la balacera en Safeway indentificados
Una víctima, Donald Ray Surrett Jr., intentó desarmar al pistolero durante un intento de ataque
Por / By Jack Harvel Traducido por / Translated by Jéssica Sánchez-Millar
De acuerdo con el portavoz de la policía, Sheila Miller, el domingo, 28 de agosto, Glenn Bennet de ochenta y cuatro años y Donald Ray Surrett Jr de 66 años, fueron asesinados a tiros por Ethan Miller, de 20 años, en el Safeway localizado en la carretera 20.
De acuerdo a la policía, los primeros disparos ocurrieron alrededor de las 7:04 p.m., cuando Miller se dirigía desde su casa, localizada en Fox Hollow Apartments, por la banqueta a la zona comercial Forum en Bend. Activó disparos con un rifle estilo AR apuntando a Big Lots antes de entrar a Safeway. Miller disparó y mató a Bennet, un cliente localizado en la entrada, antes de pasar al interior de la tienda. Surret Jr., un empleado de Safeway, aparentemente trató de desarmar a Miller antes que Miller le disparará y lo matará.
“Surrett se enfrentó con el tirador, trató de desarmarlo y pudo haber evitado más muertes. El Sr. Surrett actuó heroicamente durante este terrible incidente,” indicó en un comunicado de prensa la agente de información pública (PIO por sus siglas en inglés), Miller.
La policía reportó que otras dos víctimas sufrieron lesiones que no pusieron en riesgo su vida. Miller murió de una herida de bala causada por sí mismo en la sección de frutas y verduras de Safeway, cerca de donde Surret Jr. enfrentó al tirador. La policía llegó al lugar de la escena tres minutos después que se reportaron los disparos, entrando a la tienda mientras que seguían los disparos y encontró muerto a Miller junto con un rifle estilo AR y una escopeta de calibre 12. La agente de información pública dijo que los primeros enviados a la zona para encontrar el cuerpo de Miller llegaron en un lapso de alrededor de cuatro minutos.
La policía comenzó a cerrar la zona después de escuchar los reportes sobre un segundo tirador. La policía de la Ciudad de Bend dice que no hay evidencia que indique que hubo un segundo tirador o que ocurrieron tiroteos en la zona de Reed Market, cómo se compartió ampliamente en las redes sociales la noche del tiroteo en Safeway.
Las declaraciones del tirador dieron lugar a que BPD se comunicara con el escuadrón antibombas de la Policía Estatal de Oregon, quien despejó Safeway y el edificio de apartamentos del Fox Hollow donde vivía el tirador. Por medio de una inspección del vehículo del tirador se encontraron tres bombas Molotov, una escopeta recortada, “aparatos digitales” y más municiones.
La escena aún estaba siendo investigada y PIO Miller espera que la investigación de la zona permanezca activa hasta el día martes. Se desconoce cómo obtuvo las armas el tirador y BPD está colaborando con el Departamento de Armas de Fuego, Tabaco y Bebidas Alcohólicas para determinar cómo obtuvo las armas. PIO Miller le pidió a las personas que tengan información importante que se comuniquen con ellos al 541-322-6380.
Dos oficiales y profesionales de la salud mental estarán estacionados en Mick’s Drive en la zona comercial Forum para regresar las pertenencias que quedaron en la tienda y los carros que se quedaron en el estacionamiento.
La policía no confirmo si una declaración publicada desde entonces por Wattpad, una plataforma de lectura social en línea, fue legítima antes del tiroreo. La declaración pública recalcó cómo obtuvo el escritor un arma AR-15 y una escopeta recortada calibre 12 y bombas Molotov, los detalles no los sabia el público hasta la conferencia de prensa del lunes.
La declaracion publica, titulada “Espiral Decandente” indicó que el escritor de la publicación inicial apuntaba a Mountain View High School el 8 de septiembre, el primer día de clases. En la declaración se pública en contra de las leyes relacionadas a COVID, la falta de relaciones románticas y amistosas y su falta al gusto por la sociedad moderna, mientras que fantaseaba en cometer violencia masiva en contra de gente inocente.
Fue planeada una vigilia comunitaria de 6:30-7:30 p.m. el día lunes para honrar a Surret Jr. Bennet.
—SHEILA MILLER
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