DAYTON, Ohio — It’s been two years since nine people were killed in the Oregon District of Dayton. One victim’s parents said it hasn’t gotten easier with time.
What You Need To Know
- Two years ago, nine people were shot and killed in the Oregon District
- Logan Turner was one of those victims, out celebrating his 30th birthday with friends
- Mike Turner, Logan’s dad says his only child was compassionate and loving
- After the shooting, Mike started #LoganHugs to spread hugs and positivity around the community
Logan Turner was one of the nine people killed in the Oregon District. His dad, Mike Turner, said Logan was out celebrating his birthday.
“He was downtown, as everyone has done, and go celebrate his birthday on the Oregon District,” Mike said.
Mike said his only child was full of compassion.
“He took the time away from whatever he was doing to help someone else,” Mike said. “Whether they were sad, angry, or just needed to take, he was always there for them.”
Kathy Turner, Mike’s wife and Logan’s step-mom, said they were full of anger after finding out the news, and so were so many others. But they knew they had to channel their anger in other ways.
“When we left [the vigil] there was still some anger,” Kathy said. “So on the way home, Mike and I had a talk and we said this is not what Logan would want. We have to live our lives, what would Logan want, what would Logan do?”
That conversation is how #LoganHugs started. Mike decided to start giving anyone that wanted one a hug.
“I made a promise to Logan that I would do this,” Mike said. “And so I just started walking around with my Logan Hugs shirt on giving people hugs.”
“Mike’s always been a hugger, he’s always been a hugger,” Kathy said. “And so we said this is what Logan would want, he would want you to be loving, not angry.”
While the pandemic halted the movement, Mike said the hugs he’s shared with people have helped him grieve.
“You hold someone and hug them real hard for 10 seconds it clears their day, it clears their head,” Mike said. “I mean, you don’t know what they’re going through.”
While time hasn’t healed their broken hearts, Kathy and Mike breath a little easier knowing how loved Logan was.
“You don’t get better from this,” Kathy said. “It doesn’t get better. I think every day you miss him more.”
“He was loved,” Mike said.
