Five people were killed — including a close friend of Kentucky’s governor — and eight others were injured Monday in a shooting at a bank that was live-streamed by the killer in downtown Louisville, according to authorities.
Louisville Metro Police’s Interim Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel identified the shooter as 23-year-old Connor Sturgeon, an employee of Old National Bank where the shooting took place. The killer was shot dead by police.
“Let’s be clear about what this was,” said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. “This was an evil act of targeted violence.”
The chief confirmed that Sturgeon was live-streaming the shooting. Authorities are seeking to have that content removed from the web.
Sturgeon used a rifle to carry out the shooting before he was killed at the scene by responding officers.
Police said the shooter killed four people: Jim Tutt, 64, Josh Barrick, 40, Juliana Farmer, 57, and Tommy Elliot, 63, who had a tight bond with Gov. Andy Beshear.
One of the wounded, identified as 57-year-old Deanna Eckert, later died, police said Monday night.
“We lost four children of God, one of whom was one of my closest friends,” Mr. Beshear, a Democrat, said at Monday afternoon’s press conference. “Tommy Elliot helped me build my law career. Helped me become governor. Gave me advice on being a good dad. He’s one of the people I talk to most in the world — and very rarely are we talking about my job.”
Chief Gwinn-Villaroel said that two people remain in critical condition in the hospital, including 26-year-old police officer Nickolas Wilt.
The chief said that Officer Wilt, who had just been sworn in on March 31, suffered a gunshot wound to the head while responding to the incident. Dr. Jason Smith, surgeon at the University of Louisville hospital, said that Officer Wilt was in critical but stable condition after undergoing brain surgery.
“The next 24 hours for all involved … [is] going to be the critical time period for us to understand really how well they’re going to recover from this acute part of their overall care,” Dr. Smith said during the press conference. “They’ve got long roads ahead of them, but if we can get through 24 hours, then we will take another 24 hours and we will keep doing that until they get out of the hospital.”
Two other people remain in the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The Louisville Courier-Journal reported that another officer injured in the shooting was among the three people discharged from the hospital.
President Biden weighed in on the “senseless act of gun violence” by offering prayers to those killed and injured while thanking the officers for their quick action. He then turned his attention to the political debate surrounding gun control.
“How many more Americans must die before Republicans in Congress will act to protect our communities? It’s long past time that we require safe storage of firearms. Require background checks for all gun sales. Eliminate gun manufacturers’ immunity from liability. We can and must do these things now,” the president said in a statement.
Deputy Police Chief Paul Humphrey said the shooting at the Old National Bank began around 8:30 a.m. Officers arrived in three minutes and came across the suspect “almost immediately” as gunshots were still being fired.
Kentucky’s two Republican senators, Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, sent their condolences to Louisville after the shooting.
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. We send our prayers to the victims, their families, and the city of Louisville as we await more information.
— Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) April 10, 2023
“Kelley and I are praying for everyone involved in the deadly shooting in downtown Louisville this morning,” Mr. Paul said. “Our hearts break for the families of those lost.”
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
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