Kentucky gov. on Louisville shooting: 'I have a very close friend that didn't make it today'

Gov. Andy Beshear made a statement to reporters following a shooting at Old National Bank in Louisville, Ky., saying, "This is awful. I have a very close friend that didn't make it today." Police said at least four people have been killed and eight others were injured. The suspected shooter is also dead.

Video Transcript

ANDY BESHAR: I want to start by thanking the brave heroes in LMPD and our other responding organizations. LMPD made it to the scene in a matter of minutes after receiving the call. And there is no doubt in my mind that their efforts saved lives. And they put their own on the line. Now, we have at least one officer in surgery right now that is there because he took those actions to try to protect the people of Louisville. I want to thank Louisville Fire, Louisville Metro EMS, and Emergency Management in the Louisville Sheriff's Office for the immediate response.

They've now been joined by the FBI, ATF, Homeland Security, Kentucky State Police, if requested, and the Louisville Office of Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods in this response. This is awful. I have a very close friend that didn't make it today. And I have another close friend who didn't either and one who's at the hospital that I hope is going to make it through.

So when we talk about praying, I hope people will for those that we are hoping can make it through the surgeries that they're going through. And then we've got to do what we have done these last three years after everything. We've got to wrap our arms around these families. And to everybody who needs it, don't be afraid to get some help. Our bodies and our minds are not meant to go through these types of tragedies.

And so I hope that all the brave officers that stepped into the line of fire that are worried about one of their fellow officers will reach out for help when they need it. I hope every one of those bank employees and folks in that building, one that I know well-- and my AG campaign was out of that building. I know virtually everyone in it. That's my bank. I hope that they will all reach out and get the help that they need. There are a lot of people that are hurting today. And if we have a place to focus our energy, I hope it is to surround them with the love and the compassion that we have been so good at showing one another.

I want people to know that while today is a horrific act, I do believe that this is a safe community, with officers doing their very best each and every day. And that's what we saw here. Yes, I know that there are steps that the police department is taking to do things better after the recent report, but we certainly saw, I think, the very best from them today. And I want to thank them and all our other law enforcement officers for responding and doing their best to try to save some of my friends and many others. Thank you all.