Ohio shooter’s parents apologise for ‘insensitive’ obituary

The gunman's family described him as a "funny, articulate and intelligent man" in an obituary

The family of the Dayton, Ohio shooter have apologised for releasing an "insensitive" obituary that fails to mention the "terrible tragedy".

Connor Betts, 24, was a "funny, articulate and intelligent man", the tribute said.

The killing of his sister and eight others in a shooting on 4 August was not acknowledged.

Conner & Koch, a funeral home in Bellbrooke, Ohio, posted the obituary to its website on Tuesday.

• US stunned by two mass shootings in 24 hours

• Who were the victims of the shootings?

• Texas Walmart shooting is 'domestic terrorism'

• Will anything change this time?

But after details of the remembrance were reported by US media, it was removed a day later.

In its place, an apology from the gunman's parents, Stephen and Moira Betts, has been posted.

His parents posted an apology on Conner & Koch's website

The couple admit they were "insensitive in not acknowledging the terrible tragedy that he created".

"In their grief, they presented the son that they knew which in no way reduces the horror of his last act. We are deeply sorry," the brief statement says.

A separate obituary posted on the website for their 22-year-old daughter, Megan - who was among her brother's victims - did not mention the shooting either. Friends of Megan say she identified as male and went by the name Jordan Cofer, according to US media reports.

Brian Koch, the owner of the funeral home that posted the obituaries, confirmed their family wrote the tributes.

"Our policy is we serve grieving families and carry out their wishes," Mr Koch told NBC News.

How did the shooting unfold?

In the early hours of 4 August, the gunman opened fire at bystanders in Oregon, a busy nightlife district in Dayton's city centre, police said.

Armed with a .223-calibre assault rifle with high-capacity magazines, he fired 41 shots in less than 30 seconds as he walked towards a nightclub, Ned Peppers.

Officers on patrol in the area managed to fatally shoot the gunman before he could enter the busy venue.

Police said "there would have been catastrophic injury and loss of life" had he entered the club.

Detectives investigating the attack say he had a fascination with mass shootings, but are yet to identify a motive.

What did the obituary say?

"A funny, articulate and intelligent man with striking blue eyes and a kind smile, Connor Stephen Betts, age 24, of Bellbrook, passed away Sunday, August 4th, 2019," the obituary said.

He was an avid reader, enjoyed swimming, was a Boy Scout, was in his high school marching band, played Xbox games and loved watching the Fox animated show "Bob's Burgers", the posting said, according to US media reports.

He "will be missed immensely by his friends, family, and especially his good dog Teddy" the tribute said.