Police say a bank employee in Louisville, Kentucky, open fired and livestreamed the attack on Instagram, resulting in the deaths of five people. The victims' ages ranged from 40 to 64 years old. Among the nine others injured was a police officer who had just joined the force two weeks prior.
The officer was shot in the cranium, and despite brain surgery, his condition remains critical. The police arrived within three minutes and shot the perpetrator to death during an exchange of gunfire. The incident occurred around 08:30 local time at the Old National Bank in the city center (12:30 GMT).
Caleb Goodlett told local sources that his wife, a bank employee, confined herself in the vault as soon as the attack began. Other witnesses described seeing the exchange of gunfire between police officers and the lone assailant.
Tommy Elliot, a senior vice-president at the bank, was among the victims, according to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who described him as an "extraordinary friend." Mr. Beshear stated that Tommy Elliott helped him build his legal career, helped him become governor and advised him on how to be a decent father.
The following victims have been identified as Thomas Elliot, 63, James Tutt, 64, Joshua Barrick, 40, Julianna Farmer, 45 and Deana Eckert, 57.
Nickolas Wilt, 26, has been identified as the police officer who was shot in the head in Louisville. Anthony Piagentini, a member of the City Council, informed the Courier-Journal that Mr. Wilt graduated from the academy on March 31 and that his brother is currently enrolled in the police academy. The mayor of Louisville, Craig Greenberg, described the assault as "an evil act of targeted violence." The mayor stated that he was recently the target of a firearms attack.
Two survivors informed sources that Monday's bank shooting began in a conference room on the ground floor. "Somebody who was next to me was shot, and their blood is on me," one man said, gesturing to his shirt.
The suspect has been identified as 25-year-old Connor Sturgeon, who police say used an AR-15-style semi automatic rifle and streamed the assault live online. Police Chief Jacwuelyn Gwinn-Villaroel said that it's tragic to know that the incident was not only out there but also captured. Meta, had immediately removed the livestream of this tragic incident this morning.
An online profile describes the assailant as a syndication associate and portfolio financier at Old National Bank. After serving as an apprentice for three summers, he joined the company as a full-time employee the previous year. According to officials, he had no prior contact with law enforcement.
Before heading to work on Monday, he wrote a note detailing his plans for the mass shooting, according to US media reports. According to data compiled by the Gun Violence Archive, there have been at least 146 mass shootings - defined as incidents in which four or more people were shot - so far in 2023. This includes at least 15 since the start of April.
President Joseph Biden demanded Congress pass gun control measures on Monday, mentioning that too many Americans are paying with their lives for inaction. Kentucky is one of 26 states that permit most adults over the age of 21 to buy and carry a firearm without a license.
