Friend of Dayton Shooter Charged with Illegally Purchasing Some of the Equipment Used in Massacre

A friend of the Dayton shooter is now facing federal charges for his role in illegally purchasing some of the equipment used in the massacre that left nine dead and fourteen wounded earlier this month.

From News 5 Cleveland:

Ethan Kollie, 24, of Kettering, admitted buying an upper receiver that was attached to [the shooter’s]* AR-15 and the 100-round double-drum magazine [the shooter] used to kill nine people in the Dayton entertainment district, according to an affidavit.

Kollie and [the shooter] allegedly assembled the AR-15 in Kollie’s apartment 10 weeks ago, according to U.S. Attorney Benjamin Glassman. Kollie bought the drum 6-8 weeks ago and that’s when [the shooter] then took possession of all three components.

Kollie’s admitted drug use made it illegal to purchase or possess a firearm or components, and Kollie is being charged for lying on federal firearm forms, according to Glassman.

Kollie was arrested and charged on Friday, but the charges were just unsealed by the U.S. Attorney on Monday.

Glassman emphasized that there isn’t anything linking Kollie to the planning of the shooting. Kollie also didn’t do much hide anything when the F.B.I. came to question him:

Kollie had a concealed carry permit and owned a micro Draco pistol, a Taurus semi-automatic and a .38 Taurus revolver, Glassman said. Agents interviewing Kollie at his apartment said they smelled marijuana and saw a bong and the Draco pistol in plain sight.

When agents returned with a search warrant, they said Kollie was carrying the .38 and what they believed was a small amount of marijuana.

When purchasing weapons, Kollie checked the “No” box when asked if he used drugs, Glassman said.

The full affidavit of the criminal complaint can be read here.

Kollie could spend 15 years in prison if convicted.

Here is the full press conference:

*PJ Media has decided not to publish the name of the shooter, not wishing to give him any additional publicity.