The woman who shot down the gunman at the party

The attack happened in Charleston, West Virginia, on the night of May 25, and the person who opened fire on the crowd has been identified as Dennis Butler, 37, with multiple criminal records, as confirmed by US officials and media today May 27.

While driving near the building that was hosting an outdoor party with about 40 people in attendance, Butler was prompted to slow down because there were many children at the time. Moments later, he returned with a semi-automatic rifle of the AR-15 model, sat in the car and opened fire to the party area.

A woman at the party that night had a legal handgun in her possession and shot Butler, a Charleston police spokeswoman said. No one at the party was injured.

Charleston police confirmed the woman was a civilian, never worked for law enforcement and was authorized to carry a gun. This person’s identity is kept secret.

Hazelett said the woman’s prompt response prevented the tragedy from happening. “She was just an ordinary person, but instead of running away in danger, she faced the threat and saved people’s lives,” he said.

After the shooting, the woman remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Police said she would not face any charges.

Butler was confirmed dead at the scene with multiple bullet wounds on his body. Police have not yet determined how Butler obtained the gun, because the law prevents people with a criminal record from buying and carrying weapons.

The Charleston shooting comes the day after the Robb Elementary School shooting tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, killing 19 children and two teachers. The suspect also used an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, which was legally purchased and owned in Texas.

The tragedy in Uvalde is one of the deadliest mass shootings in America in the past few decades. The attack rekindled debates about individual gun ownership and the need for gun control in the country.

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