Six people were killed and eight others were injured in a shooting at the Old National Bank Building in downtown Louisville. The victims and suspect were employees of the bank, and the shooter was killed by police. The incident has led to calls for changes to gun laws in the US, including from President Biden, who urged Congress to take action to prevent further loss of life. The shooting was the 146th mass shooting in the US so far this year, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive.
6 people are dead and 8 are injured after a shooting in downtown Louisville
Louisville Metro Police Department Interim Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel has confirmed that 25-year-old Connor Sturgeon, an employee of the bank, was shot and killed by police after exchanging gunfire with responding officers. Sturgeon had used a rifle to carry out the attack, which was livestreamed online. Gwinn-Villaroel stated that she did not yet know how the gunman obtained the weapon.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed his grief, stating "Today, I'm hurt, and I'm hurting. And I know so many people out there are as well."
Both the victims and the suspect were employees of the bank.
Beshear emotionally told reporters that Tommy Elliott had assisted him in building his law career, helped him become governor, and provided guidance on being a good father.
On Monday evening, police reported that Deanna Eckert, aged 57, had passed away. According to a LinkedIn profile with the same name, Eckert was an executive administrative officer at the bank.
Nine individuals, including three police officers, were rushed to the University of Louisville Hospital with injuries. The hospital confirmed that five of the patients had sustained gunshot wounds. Three individuals were treated and released, three were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, and three were in critical condition on Monday afternoon.
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Officer Nickolas Wilt, who had recently graduated from the police academy on March 31, was among those wounded in the attack. Wilt sustained a head injury from a gunshot and underwent brain surgery, according to Gwinn-Villaroel.
"I have already visited the affected families with my own family to express our love and support. Today, we have visited all the families affected by the tragic incident to offer our support. As representatives of the LMPD, we are committed to providing any assistance they need," she stated.
The shooting incident took place in the Old National Bank Building, which is a multi-story structure housing a bank on the ground level and commercial and residential spaces on the upper floors. According to authorities, all the victims were either bank staff or police officers.
Officials conveyed their sorrow and sadness regarding the fatal assault.
Messages of support and grief poured in from the Louisville community and beyond following news of the shooting, accompanied by calls for changes to the country's gun laws. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg condemned the shooting as a "horrific tragedy" and an "evil act of gun violence," while Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and his wife expressed devastation and offered prayers for the victims.
In a statement, President Biden expressed his condolences and called for stricter gun safety laws, stating that the nation was once again in mourning after a senseless act of gun violence. He urged Congress to take action to protect communities and prevent further loss of life.
Notably, a new Kentucky law went into effect last month that prevents state and local law enforcement from assisting with any federal bans on guns, ammunition, or firearms accessories. The law was approved by Kentucky's Republican-majority legislature and became law without the signature or veto of Democratic Governor Beshear.
According to data from the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 146 mass shootings in the United States so far this year.
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