Son loses dad from shooting, after repairing home damaged by tornadoes

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Dion Green lost his dad, Derrick Fudge of Springfield, during the Oregon District mass shooting just after cleaning up his house from damage caused when 15 tornadoes ripped through neighboring communities in May.

“It’s just been hell lately,” said Green, who buried his father on Saturday.

The Wagner Ford Road area in Dayton was one of the areas hit hardest during the Memorial Day tornadoes. This is where Green and his fiancé, Donita Cosey, live.

Green stayed in his house from day one, without electricity at times, working to put it back together.

If you look at his house today, the tornado damage might not be obvious. Other houses on his street are still in the progress of being repaired.

RELATED: Burial services held for victim Derrick Fudge of Springfield 

Fudge, 57, was one of nine people killed and dozens injured during the shooting on Aug. 4 in Dayton’s Oregon District entertainment section.

Minutes before the shooting, Green and Cosey were in line at a popular taco stand in front of Blind Bob’s bar. Fudge was right beside them.

The first gunshot was heard from an alley near the bar, followed by continuous gunshots as the three ducked.

“The situation turned into something else real quick,” Green said. “I told my dad to get up. His eyes were open. ‘Come on, get up dad.’”

That is when Green got down and looked at his dad’s body.

“I don’t see no bullet holes but when I get closer I see the blood coming from behind his head,” Green said. “I just grabbed onto him. I cradled him and told him I love him. I just couldn’t let go.”

Green believes Fudge saved his life.

RELATED: Son of Springfield man killed in Dayton shooting: ‘He must have taken it for me’

This summer has been filled with devastation for Green and his family, after the death of Fudge and the Memorial Day tornadoes.

“I have been through so much stuff within 70 days that people don’t even go through in a lifetime or two lifetimes, Green said.

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