Global Courant 2023-04-11 08:03:58
A 25-year-old man opened fire on a bank in Louisville, Ky., on Monday.
The deceased victims were identified by police as Tommy Elliott, 63; Joshua Barrick, 40; Jim Tutt, 64; and Juliana Boer, 57; and Deanna Eckert, 57.
The suspected shooter, Connor Sturgeon, an employee of the bank, is also dead. He used a rifle to carry out the attack, which he livestreamed on Instagram, according to police
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who was close friends with Elliott, ordered flags across the state to fly at half-mast until Friday evening in honor of the victims.
Here’s everything we know so far.
How it unfolded
A street has been cordoned off with crime scene tape as police respond to a shooting at the Old National Bank in Louisville, Ky., Monday. (Luke Sharrett/Getty Images)
The shooting began just after 8:30 a.m. at Old National Bank in downtown Louisville. Police responded to calls from what authorities initially described as an “active aggressor” within three minutes.
Law enforcement defines active aggressors as suspects who indiscriminately try to hurt or kill as many people as possible. Such incidents include shootings, stabbings and other assaults.
When officers arrived, they encountered the suspect, who was “still firing gunshots,” Louisville Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey told reporters at a news conference.
A video posted to Twitter showed police entering the area as gunshots rang out. The images show how a police officer runs into the street to warn motorists.
“Active shooter on the bench! Get out of your cars! Active shooter on the bench!” the officer can be heard yelling.
Inside the bank, officers exchanged gunfire with the gunman, who died at the scene, Humphrey said. He added that authorities were trying to confirm whether the suspect died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound or was killed by the officers. The shooter acted alone, he said.
“We think this is a lone shooter involved in this,” he said.
During a press briefing this afternoon, Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel, Louisville’s temporary police chief, said three of the nine injured victims are in critical condition.
Story continues
The wounded included two officers, including one who was hit in the head with a bullet and was rushed into surgery at the University of Louisville Hospital.
That officer was identified as Nicholas Wilt, 26, who had just graduated from the Louisville Police Training Academy.
“I just sworn him in and his family was there to witness his journey to becoming a police officer,” said Gwinn-Villaroel, adding that Wilt came out of surgery in critical but stable condition.
Police have not yet publicly identified a motive for the attack. Gwinn-Villaroel said the suspect was live-streaming the shooting online and authorities were working to remove the footage from the internet.
Praise for the police response to the latest mass shooting in the US
Law enforcement officials respond to the Louisville shooting. (Luke Sharrett/Getty Images)
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg thanked first responders, including the “brave and heroic” officers who stormed into the bank.
“Without a doubt, their actions saved lives,” Greenberg said.
The Democratic mayor also asked for prayers for the victims of this latest mass shooting in the United States.
“I ask everyone in our city, across the country, around the world to pray with us for those who are currently in the hospital at the University of Louisville injured and fighting for their lives as a result of another act of gun violence” , he said. .
This is reported by the Gun Violence Archivewhich defines a mass shooting as one that shoots at least four victims, not counting the shooter, there have been at least 145 mass shootings in the US in 2023, including Monday’s in Louisville.
It came two weeks after six people, including three children, were killed in a mass shooting at a Christian elementary school in Nashville.
“I want everyone in the city to know that despite tragedies like today, when multiple people are killed by gun violence, our community will continue to come together,” the mayor continued. “We will find ways to love and support each other, as well as the families and friends directly affected by these acts of gun violence. And we will come together as a community to prevent these heinous acts of gun violence from continuing here and around the state.
Greenberg added, “We’ll get through this together.”
Friend of the governor among the victims
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear at a press conference following the mass shooting. (Luke Sharrett/Getty Images)
Speaking at the morning press conference, the governor said he had a personal connection to Monday’s shooting.
“This is terrible. I have a very good friend who didn’t make it today,” Beshear said through held back tears. “So when we talk about praying, I hope people will.”
The bank building, he said, was where he campaigned for attorney general, adding that he knew “pretty much everyone in it.”
“That’s my couch,” he said.
At an afternoon press conference, Beshear revealed that Elliott had been one of his “best friends.”
“Tommy Elliott helped me build my law career, helped me become governor,” Beshear said. “Give me advice to be a good dad. One of the people I talked to the most in the world, but we rarely talked about my work. He was an incredible friend.”
Beshear said he hopes survivors and families of all victims will reach out to get the help they need. He thanked law enforcement officials, including the FBI and ATF agents who assisted local law enforcement with the investigation.
“I want people to know that while it is a heinous act today, I believe this is a safe community with officers doing their very best every day,” the Democratic governor added. “And that’s what we saw here.”
How the White House reacted
President Biden exits Marine One as he returns to Washington, DC, from Camp David on Sunday. (Ken Cedeno/Reuters)
President Biden released a statement condemning the latest mass shooting in the United States — and the refusal of congressional Republicans to act.
“Again, our nation is in mourning after a senseless act of gun violence,” Biden said. “Jill and I pray for the dead and injured in the tragic Louisville shooting, and for the survivors who will bear the grief and trauma for the rest of their lives. We are grateful to the Louisville Metropolitan Police Department officers who quickly and courageously stepped in the line of fire to save others.”
According to the White House, the president spoke to Beshear about the tragedy by phone Monday evening.
“How many Americans have to die before Republicans in Congress will take action to protect our communities?” Biden continued. “We no longer need to securely store firearms. We require background checks on all gun sales. Eliminate gun manufacturers’ immunity from liability. We can and should do these things now.
“A large majority of Americans want lawmakers to act on common sense gun safety reforms,” the president added. “Instead, from Florida to North Carolina to the U.S. House of Representatives, we’ve seen Republican officials double down on dangerous bills that make our schools, places of worship, and communities less safe. It’s unconscionable, it’s reckless, and too many Americans are pay with their lives.”