Louisville bank shooting: What we know about attack that left six dead and eight hurt in Kentucky
Five people are dead after a shooter walked into the Old National Bank in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, and began firing on individuals inside with an AR-15-style rifle.
Police became aware of the mass shooting just before 9am local time on Monday. By 10.30am they announced the shooter was dead, along with five victims. Eight others — including, reportedly at least one police officer — were injured and required medical attention.
Connor Sturgeon, a 25-year-old employed by the bank, was named as the shooter on Monday afternoon.
Here’s everything we know about the mass shooting attack:
The shooting
Police believe the shooting began around 8.30am EST at the Old National Bank in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. Police received word of the shooting sometime between then and 8.53am, at which time the department tweeted that it was “aware of the reported incident” downtown and advised the public to avoid the area.
Just before 9.30am, police confirmed that there were “multiple casualties” resulting from the shooting.
The shooting ended sometime between 9am and 10.16am, at which time police tweeted that “there is no longer an active aggressor threat. The suspected shooter has been neutralized.”
It is unclear how the shooter died, though officers confirmed that they traded shots with the suspect.
Police later said that the shooter had some connection to the bank, though the exact nature of that relationship was not made clear.
“I don’t know if he was an active employee or former employee but the shooter did have a connection to the building,” said Louisville Metro Police Chief Paul Humphrey.
Two unnamed officials also told NBC News that the shooting is being investigated as a workplace violence situation by an employee who suffered from mental health issues.
A police source told CNN that the shooter used an AR-15-style rifle in the attack.
Suspect Connor Sturgeon
Police identified Surgeon as the suspected shooter on Monday afternoon.
He was an employee of the bank.
According to a LinkedIn account in his name, Sturgeon had worked at the bank since as a syndications associate and portfolio banker.
His family lives in Greenville, Indiana, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal.
He graduated from Floyd Central High School, where he played basketball and his father was the coach. He went on to attend the University of Alabama before moving to Louisville.
No motive has been given for the shooting.
The victims
Authorities named the five victims killed at the press conference on Monday afternoon.
They are: Josh Barrick, 40; Tommy Elliott, 63; Jim Tutt, 64; Juliana Farmer, 57; and Deanna Eckert, 57.
Eight others were injured and required medical attention.
Two of those eight are police officers, according to Louisville Metro Police Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey.
Nicholas Wilt, 26, is a Lousiville police officer who was responding to the mass shooting at a bank in the city’s downtown when mass shooter Connor Sturgeon shot him in the head.
Mr Wilt is currently in critical but stable condition at a local hospital. Two other victims are also in critical condition. Three others have been released from the hospital, and three others remain hospitalised in stable condition.
Interim Lousiville Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel said that Mr Wilt had just graduated from his police academy on 31 March.
A man speaking to WLKY said his wife, who works at the bank, called him from inside the building during the shooting. She revealed that she and other employees had been locked in the vault to stay safe during the incident.
The woman escaped unhardmed, according to her husband.
Two of the victims were friends with Governor Andy Beshear, who spoke at an 11am press conference. During an emotional address at nearby Slugger Field, he confirmed that one of his friends was killed, and another was in surgery.
“This is awful,” he said. “I have a very close friend who didn’t make it today.”
That friend was Mr Elliott. Mr Beshear said Mr Elliott helped him in his early carreer and provided him life advice throughout their friendship.
“He was one of the people I talked to most in the world, and very rarely were we talking about my job,” the governor said.
He revealed that he banked with Old National Bank and formerly had an office in the building during his campaign for the attorney general’s office.
Lawmakers react
President Joe Biden put out a statement about the shooting on Monday afternoon.
“Once again, our nation mourns after a senseless act of gun violence – Jill and I pray for the lives lost and impacted by today’s shooting,” he said.
“Too many Americans are paying for the price of inaction with their lives.
“When will Republicans in Congress act to protect our communities?
Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell put out his own statement earlier in the day.
“Elaine and I are devastated by the news coming out of Louisville this morning. Thank you to LMPD and our first responders for your bravery at the scene,” he tweeted.
“We send our prayers to the victims, their families, and the city of Louisville as we await more information.”
Second shooting reported nearby
Shortly after the bank shooting, officers were called to the scene of a second shooting nearby.
At 11.20am, LMPD confirmed officers had been dispatched to 8th and Chestnut streets.
Police said that there is no active shooting situation and there is no indication the two incidents are related.
“There is NO active aggressor at JCTC at 8th Chestnut streets. We are confirming that there was a shooting outside, and the suspects fled prior to police arrival,” LMPD tweeted.
