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Oregon sheriff: "I will not name the shooter"

Posted at 8:11 AM, Oct 02, 2015
and last updated 2015-10-02 08:11:40-04

In a press conference following the tragic deaths of nine people Thursday, an Oregon sheriff said he will never give the gunman the credit he sought prior to the shooting.

"Let me be very clear," said Sheriff John Hanlin. "I will not name the shooter. I will not give him the credit he probably sought prior to this horrific and cowardly act. Media will get the name confirmed in time. But you will never hear me mention his name."

WATCH a portion of the press conference in the video above.

Armed with multiple guns, the 26-year-old gunman walked into a morning writing class at the community college in this rural Oregon town and opened fire, hitting some students with multiple gunshots. A witness said a teacher was struck in the head.

At least nine people were killed by the gunman and one witness said the attacker demanded to know students' religion before shooting them on the fourth day of class at Umpqua Community College.