A Republican representative from Seymour, Indiana, has created a GoFundMe account for 22-year-old Elisjsha Dicken, the young man who stopped a mass shooting at a mall earlier this month.
Dicken was at a mall with his girlfriend in Greenwood when a shooter opened fire on unsuspecting shoppers. The armed civilian reacted within 15 seconds of the attacker’s first shot, using his 9-millimeter Glock handgun to fire off at least ten rounds and kill the shooter.
“On July 17, a shooter opened fire with a rifle at the food court at Greenwood Mall in Greenwood, Indiana,” Rep. Jim Lucas posted to the GoFundMe account. “Tragically, [three] innocent people were killed, but countless other lives were saved because of the heroism of Eli Dicken’s incredible bravery by acting without hesitation to engage the shooter. Eli neutralized the threat, ending the deadly force situation.”
Dicken has retained legal counsel, Lucas noted. “I ask for your contribution to help with Eli’s legal and financial challenges that lay ahead of him,” the Republican said. “EVERY PENNY of your donation goes to Eli to be used for his legal defense, counseling, potential time off of work or whatever financial challenges he may be faced with.”
The account, which has been confirmed by The Republic, has already raised more than $62,000 for Dicken. Lucas has donated $500 himself.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN—“A Good Guy With A Gun”
Elisjsha Dicken, 22 years old, has been cited as the hero who saved lives when he used his concealed carry weapon to stop a mass shooter firing into a crowded food court, in Greenwood Park Mall on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/xVnzRH8kXQ
— Bree A Dail (@breeadail) July 19, 2022
Indiana attorney Guy Relford is representing the 22-year-old. Relford has called his client “a true American hero who saved countless lives during a horrific event that could have been so much worse if not for Eli’s courage, preparedness and willingness to protect others,” Newsweek reported.
The attorney made it clear no “substantive comments” will be made until the investigation is closed, out of respect for the victims.
“Because we want to respect the on-going criminal investigation by the Greenwood Police Department and take time to honor the three innocent lives lost, we won’t be making any substantive comments on Sunday’s events until after the authorities’ investigation is closed,” Relford said, asking the media for privacy.
Greenwood Police Chief Jim Ison, too, expressed his gratitude for Dicken.
“I will say his actions were nothing short of heroic,” the chief said.
“He engaged the gunman from quite a distance with a handgun, was very proficient in that, very tactically sound, and as he moved to close in on the suspect he was also motioning for people to exit behind him,” Ison explained.
Related: What We Know About The Heroic 22-Year-Old Man Who Stopped A Mass Shooting In Indiana