A friend of the gunman who killed nine people in a mass shooting in Dayton earlier this month was arrested on Friday and reportedly admitted to helping Connor Betts assemble the firearm used in the massacre.
The Dayton Daily News reports that Ethan Kollie, a friend of Betts, was arrested Friday night on a firearms violation unrelated to the Dayton shooting, but later told investigators that he purchased body armor, an ammunition magazine, and AR-15 parts for Betts.
The newspaper obtained a criminal complaint against Kollie, 24, showing that the suspect’s friend admitted to purchasing the items and hiding them in his home, in order to help Betts conceal them from his parents. Kollie also reportedly said that he helped Betts assemble the AR-15 rifle Betts used in the August 4 shooting.
While the charges "arose from" the #OregonDistrict shooting and he bought items for Connor Betts, Ethan Kollie is not charged with any crimes in connection to it.
He is charged with lying about his drug use when buying his own pistol. https://t.co/tNMaqxC2ry pic.twitter.com/u9jEMSKn28
— Local 12/WKRC-TV (@Local12) August 12, 2019
In a press conference on Monday, U.S. Attorney Benjamin Glassman reportedly said there is no indication at this time that Kollie knew his friend was planning the gun massacre.
Investigators who interviewed Kollie at his home reportedly found marijuana and a pistol there.
Kollie has reportedly been charged with firearm by an unlawful user of any controlled substance and making false statements or representations. He reportedly admitted to investigators that he lied about his ongoing marijuana use on a required form he filled out at a local gun dealer.
The gunman’s friend reportedly admitted to using marijuana, acid and “hard drugs” with Betts in the years 2014 and 2015.
It is unclear is Kollie may be facing additional charges.
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