Louisville shooting - live: Panicked 911 call from gunman’s mother released after bodycam video shows ‘ambush’
The mother of the Louisville bank shooter called 911 saying that her son “currently has a gun and is heading toward” the Old National Bank in the city’s downtown.
“I need your help. He’s never hurt anyone, he’s a good kid,” the mother of 25-year-old Connor Sturgeon said. She identified herself as his mother during the call.
The parents of Sturgeon spoke out to denounce his “senseless acts of violence” as they noted his previous struggles with mental health.
The family shared their “sorrow, anguish, and horror” at the “unthinkable harm” caused by Sturgeon.
The family statement came after police released body camera video footage of officers confronting and fatally shooting the gunman.
After a minute of shooting, the gunman sits down in the lobby of the building, in an area facing the street, seemingly waiting for law enforcement to arrive.
About 90 seconds later, the police arrive at the scene, gunfire is exchanged and the shooter is shot and killed.
Sturgeon ultimately shot 13 people, killing five of them: Josh Barrick, 40; Tommy Elliott, 63; Jim Tutt, 64; Juliana Farmer, 57; and Deanna Eckert, 57.
Key Points
Shooter’s parents break silence on ‘senseless’ attack and reveal his final text
Bodycam shows police confronting and fatally shooting Louisville bank shooter
Panicked 911 call from gunman’s mother released
Shooter allegedly shot woman in back after she said ‘good morning’ to him
Louisville gunman carried out bank shooting in one minute
Everything we know about the Louisville bank shooting that left six dead in Kentucky
04:30 , Graig Graziosi and Rachel Sharp
Louisville became the latest US city rocked by gun violence this week when an employee gunned down five colleagues inside a bank before being shot dead by responding police officers.
Connor Sturgeon, a 25-year-old bank employee, entered the Old National Bank in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, and opened fire with an AR-15-style rifle.
Officers responded to the scene within minutes and exchanged gunfire with the gunman, who was ultimately shot dead.
Four victims died on the scene, before a fifth died in hospital later on Monday.
The victims, all executives at the bank, have been identified as: Tommy Elliott, 63, Jim Tutt, 64, Josh Barrick, 40, Juliana Farmer, 57, and Deana Eckert, 57.
Another eight victims were hospitalised including two police officers who were shot by the gunman after responding to the scene.
One of those officers – Louisville Metro Police Department Officer Nickolas Wilt – was shot in the head and is now fighting for his life in hospital.
Here’s what we know so far about the mass shooting:
What we know about Louisville bank shooting that left six dead
Who is Connor Sturgeon, the Louisville gunman? Basketball star, bank worker, mass shooter
04:00 , Rachel Sharp, Megan Sheets, and Graig Graziosi
He was a high school basketball star whose father coached the team.
He was a 25-year-old University of Alabama graduate who was pursuing a career in banking in Louisville.
But now he will be remembered as America’s latest mass shooter.
On Monday, Connor Sturgeon stormed the Old National Bank in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, where he worked armed with an AR-15-style rifle.
Inside, he gunned down five of his colleagues in the first-floor conference room.
Officers responded to the scene within minutes and exchanged gunfire with the gunman, who was ultimately shot dead.
Four victims died on the scene, before a fifth died in hospital later on Monday.
The victims, all executives at the bank, have been identified as: Tommy Elliott, 63, Jim Tutt, 64, Josh Barrick, 40, Juliana Farmer, 57, and Deana Eckert, 57.
Here’s everything we know about the suspect:
Who is Connor Sturgeon, the suspect in the Louisville bank shooting?
Mayor says Louisville murder weapon will be back on streets under state’s current law
03:30 , Gustaf Kilander
The mayor of Louisville, Kentucky, Democrat Craig Greenberg, slammed the state’s gun laws during a press briefing after the bank shooting that left five dead.
Mr Greenberg was speaking on Tuesday after Monday’s assault on Old National Bank in downtown Louisville.
“To those in the national media that are joining us here today, this may be even more shocking than it is to those of us locally who know this and are dealing with this,” Mr Greenberg said.
“But under current Kentucky law, the assault rifle that was used to murder five of our neighbours and shoot at rescuing police officers will one day be auctioned off. Think about that,” he added.
“That murder weapon will be back on the streets one day, under Kentucky’s current law,” he said. “My administration has already taken action to remove the firing pin before turning confiscated guns over to the state. Because that’s all that the current law allows us to do.”
Read more:
Mayor says Louisville murder weapon will be back on streets under state’s current law
Louisville doctor treating bank shooting victims chokes up as he begs lawmakers to ‘do something’
03:00 , Rachel Sharp
The Louisville doctor treating the victims of Monday’s mass shooting choked up with emotion as he said that he has become “weary” from seeing so many people killed or wounded as a result of gun violence.
Speaking at an emotional press conference on Tuesday, Dr Jason Smith, chief medical officer of UofL Health, made an impassioned plea to lawmakers to take action to stop the cycle of shootings.
He said that his team had “barely had to adjust our operating room schedule” to deal with Monday’s shooting at the Old National Bank because of “how frequent we are having to deal with gun violence in our community”.
“I’ll tell you personally, I’m weary. I’ve been in Louisville for 15 years, all of it at University Hospital. For 15 years, I’ve cared for victims of violence and gunshot wounds. And people say, ‘I’m tired,’ but I’ll be honest, it’s more than tired. I’m weary,” he said.
“There’s only so many times you can walk into a room and tell someone they’re not coming home tomorrow. And it just breaks your heart.”
Read more:
Louisville doctor chokes up as he begs lawmakers to ‘do something’ after shooting
VIDEO: Mayor says Louisville murder weapon will be back on streets under state's current law
02:30 , Gustaf Kilander
Kentucky Democrat slams Republicans for ‘banning books and pronouns’ while gun violence soars
02:00 , Gustaf.Kilander
Kentucky Democratic Rep Morgan McGarvey slammed Republicans for “banning books and pronouns” while ignoring gun violence after the Louisville bank shooting.
The shooter, Connor Sturgeon, 25, killed five people and wounded eight others at the Old National Bank on Monday. Those killed have been identified as Josh Barrick, 40; Tommy Elliott, 63; Jim Tutt, 64; Juliana Farmer, 57; and Deanna Eckert, 57.
Sturgeon went on his rampage after being notified that the bank where he had worked since 2021 was ending his employment, law enforcement sources told CNN.
The shooter also left a note for his parents and a friend telling them that he was going to attack the bank, the source added.
Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel said Sturgeon fired at responding officers, who returned fire to “stop that threat”. She confirmed that the suspect was shot and killed by police.
Read more:
Kentucky Democrat slams Republicans for ‘banning books and pronouns’
VIDEO: Fox contributor interrupts Louisville shooting segment with plea for gun reform
01:30 , The Independent
Police release bodycam footage from Louisville bank mass shooting
01:00 , Abe Asher
Police in Louisville have released bodycamera footage of their response to a mass shooting at a bank that left five people dead and eight others injured on Monday.
Louisville Metro Police Department officials shared the footage on Tuesday and held a press conference at which they shared new details about the shooting and at which Rep Morgan McGarvey criticised Republicans for “banning books and pronouns” instead of legislating to prevent gun violence.
Connor Sturgeon, 25, purchased the automatic rifle he used in the shooting just six days before the attack.
Read more:
Police release bodycam footage from Louisville bank mass shooting
VIDEO: Louisville doctor asks lawmakers to 'do something' on gun violence after bank shooting
Thursday 13 April 2023 00:30 , The Independent
One in five Americans have lost a family member to gun violence
Thursday 13 April 2023 00:00 , Bevan Hurley
One in five Americans (19 per cent) have experienced the trauma of losing a relative to gun violence, according to a new study.
The survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) found that about the same number (21 per cent) of US adults said they had been personally threatened with a gun.
And one in six US adults (17 per cent) had directly witnessed someone being shot, according to the poll.
The survey was released one day after five people were killed — including a close friend of Kentucky governor Andy Beshear — and nine others wounded when a Louisville bank employee armed with an AR-15 style rifle opened fire at his workplace on Monday morning.
Read more:
One in five Americans have lost a family member to gun violence
Suspect holds victims hostage in Virginia Wells Fargo – days after Louisville bank shooting
Wednesday 12 April 2023 23:30 , Josh Marcus
A would-be bank robber in Virginia held five people, including a child, hostage for over an hour on Tuesday, before police were able to apprehend the man and release the hostages to safety without injury, according to the Arlington County Police.
Officers were called around 3pm to reports that a man claiming to have a gun was inside a Wells Fargo bank in Arlington, demanding money.
Police have not named the alleged robber or located any guns so far, NBC Washington reports.
Videos from a bystander across the street from the hostage scene first show large teams of police officers with body armour and riot gear.
Read more:
Virginia bank robber holds five people hostage before being arrested
Louisville mayor says ‘officers are outgunned by assailants’
Wednesday 12 April 2023 23:00 , Gustaf Kilander
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg has spoken out after the release of the police body cam footage of the Kentucky bank shooting that left five dead.
Appearing on NBC News NOW, Mr Greenberg spoke to host Tom Llamas, who said, “When you look at that bodycam video, one of the things that stood out to me is that Officer Wilt, the officer who unfortunately took a bullet to the head, comes out with a handgun and he’s facing off against a shooter who has an AR-15. What did that make you think when you saw that?”
“Oh, it’s infuriating. If you care about our police officers, it’s time for action. Here we have officers that are outgunned by assailants,” Mr Greenberg said. “It’s time for action, so we’ve got to do a lot here in Kentucky. I’m going to be fighting in the halls of Washington, anywhere at the federal or [the] state level to give us the local autonomy.”
Read more:
Louisville mayor says ‘officers are outgunned by assailants’
Louisville gunman carried out bank shooting in one minute before waiting to ambush police
Wednesday 12 April 2023 22:30 , Gustaf Kilander
The Louisville bank shooting was over in one minute, after which gunman Connor Sturgeon waited for police to arrive and was shot and killed by law enforcement.
The 25-year-old livestreamed the attack on Instagram, but the footage has since been removed.
The social media footage starts by showing a bank worker saying good morning to the shooter followed by the AR-15-style firearm, according to an official who outlined the events shown in the video, CNN reported.
The official said the footage shows the gunman then trying to shoot the woman who just spoke to him, but he’s unable to because the safety is on and the firearm still needs to be loaded.
He then takes the safety off and loads the weapon before proceeding to shoot the woman in the back.
Read more:
Louisville gunman carried out shooting in one minute before waiting to ambush police
VIDEO: Louisville doctor on gun violence: 'It just becomes too hard, day in and day out'
Wednesday 12 April 2023 22:00 , The Independent
Louisville shooter allegedly shot woman in back after she said ‘good morning’ to him
Wednesday 12 April 2023 21:40 , Gustaf Kilander
The Louisville bank shooter allegedly shot a woman in the back after she greeted him with the words “Good morning”.
The shooting was over in one minute, after which gunman Connor Sturgeon waited for police to arrive, at which point he was shot and killed by law enforcement.
The 25-year-old livestreamed the attack on Instagram, but the footage has since been removed.
The social media footage starts by showing the AR-15-style firearm, after which a bank worker says “Good morning” to the shooter, according to an official who outlined the events shown in the video, CNN reported.
The official said the footage shows the gunman then trying to shoot the woman who just spoke to him, but that he’s unable to because the safety is on and the firearm still needs to be loaded.
Read more:
Louisville shooter allegedly shot woman in back after she said ‘good morning’
VIDEO: Bodycam shows police confronting and fatally shooting Louisville bank shooter
Wednesday 12 April 2023 21:20 , The Independent
Panicked 911 call from gunman’s mother released
Wednesday 12 April 2023 21:00 , Gustaf Kilander
The mother of the Louisville bank shooter called 911 saying that her son “currently has a gun and is heading toward” the Old National Bank in the city’s downtown.
“I need your help. He’s never hurt anyone, he’s a good kid,” the mother of 25-year-old Connor Sturgeon said. She identified herself as his mother during the 911 call, according to the Associated Press.
Another one of those who called 911 to report the shooting was a woman who was taking part virtually in the bank staff’s morning meeting using Microsoft Teams to participate via a video call.
“I just watched it on a Teams meeting,” she said during the call. “We were having a board meeting. With our commercial (lending) team.”
“We heard multiple shots and everybody started saying, ‘Oh my God’ and then he came into the board room,” she added.
Read more:
Mother of Louisville bank shooter called 911 to report shootings
Louisville gunman carried out bank shooting in one minute before waiting to ambush police
Wednesday 12 April 2023 20:40 , Gustaf Kilander
The Louisville bank shooting was over in one minute, after which gunman Connor Sturgeon waited for police to arrive and was shot and killed by law enforcement.
The 25-year-old livestreamed the attack on Instagram, but the footage has since been removed.
The social media footage starts by showing a bank worker saying good morning to the shooter followed by the AR-15-style firearm, according to an official who outlined the events shown in the video, CNN reported.
The official said the footage shows the gunman then trying to shoot the woman who just spoke to him, but he’s unable to because the safety is on and the firearm still needs to be loaded.
He then takes the safety off and loads the weapon before proceeding to shoot the woman in the back.
Read more:
Louisville gunman carried out shooting in one minute before waiting to ambush police
Mother of Louisville bank shooter called 911 to report shootings
Wednesday 12 April 2023 20:25 , Gustaf Kilander
The mother of the Louisville bank shooter called 911 saying that her son “currently has a gun and is heading toward” the Old National Bank in the city’s downtown.
“I need your help. He’s never hurt anyone, he’s a good kid,” the mother of 25-year-old Connor Sturgeon said. She identified herself as his mother during the 911 call, according to the Associated Press.
Another one of those who called 911 to report the shooting was a woman who was taking part virtually in the bank staff’s morning meeting using Microsoft Teams to participate via a video call.
“I just watched it on a Teams meeting,” she said during the call. “We were having a board meeting. With our commercial (lending) team.”
“We heard multiple shots and everybody started saying, ‘Oh my God’ and then he came into the board room,” she added.
Bank manager Rebecca Buchheit-Sims told CNN that the bank staff were attending their morning meeting before opening for the day when the shooting took place. She was taking part in the meeting virtually over the video call.
She told the network the shooting “happened very quickly”.
“I witnessed people being murdered,” she said. “I don’t know how else to say that.”
The 911 calls were released by police on Wednesday.
‘It is that crazy’: Mayor slams state law handling of guns used in crimes
Wednesday 12 April 2023 20:20 , Gustaf Kilander
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg slammed Kentucky state law and how it handles guns used to commit crimes.
Appearing on NBC News NOW, he noted that the gun used in the bank shooting will be auctioned off.
“It is that crazy, our current state law. Under Kentucky State law, guns that are confiscated are ultimately required to be turned over to the state, who in turn auction those guns off, and far too often they end up back on the streets,” the mayor said. “We have evidence that guns used to commit crimes end up back on the streets to commit more crimes. So yes, this AR rifle that was used to murder five people yesterday and shoot at officers will indeed one day be back on the streets of Kentucky or some other state if we don’t take action.”
Mayor says current laws would make him a ‘criminal’ if he acted to curb gun violence
Wednesday 12 April 2023 20:00 , Gustaf Kilander
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg has said that current laws would make him a “criminal” if he acted to curb gun violence.
“We in Louisville want to deal with our gun violence epidemic in the way that the people of Louisville want. Right now, we can’t do that,” he told NBC News NOW. “Our Kentucky laws would make me a criminal if I sought to implement, as mayor, more initiatives to reduce the amount of gun violence, to crack down on illegal guns. I would be the criminal. That’s insane.”
Louisville mayor says ‘officers are outgunned by assailants’
Wednesday 12 April 2023 19:40 , Gustaf Kilander
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg has spoken out after the release of the police body cam footage of the Kentucky bank shooting that left five dead.
Appearing on NBC News NOW, Mr Greenberg spoke to host Tom Llamas, who said, “When you look at that bodycam video, one of the things that stood out to me is that Officer Wilt, the officer who unfortunately took a bullet to the head, comes out with a handgun and he’s facing off against a shooter who has an AR-15. What did that make you think when you saw that?”
“Oh, it’s infuriating. If you care about our police officers, it’s time for action. Here we have officers that are outgunned by assailants,” Mr Greenberg said. “It’s time for action, so we’ve got to do a lot here in Kentucky. I’m going to be fighting in the halls of Washington, anywhere at the federal or [the] state level to give us the local autonomy.”
Read more:
Louisville mayor says ‘officers are outgunned by assailants’
Police release bodycam footage from Louisville bank mass shooting
Wednesday 12 April 2023 19:20 , Abe Asher
Police in Louisville have released body-camera footage of their response to a mass shooting at a bank that left five people dead and eight others injured on Monday.
Louisville Metro Police Department officials shared the footage on Tuesday and held a press conference at which they shared new details about the shooting and at which Rep Morgan McGarvey criticised Republicans for “banning books and pronouns” instead of legislating to prevent gun violence.
Connor Sturgeon, 25, purchased the automatic rifle he used in the shooting just six days before the attack.
Read more:
Police release bodycam footage from Louisville bank mass shooting
Louisville bank shooter’s parents break silence on ‘senseless’ attack and reveal his final text
Wednesday 12 April 2023 19:00 , Rachel Sharp
The parents of the mass shooter who killed five colleagues in a Louisville bank on Monday have broken their silence to condemn their son’s “senseless acts of violence”.
Connor Sturgeon’s family released a statement expressing their “sorrow, anguish, and horror” at the “unthinkable harm” caused by the 25-year-old Old National Bank employee.
While Sturgeon did struggle with his mental health, his family said there were no warning signs to suggest what he would go on to do.
“No words can express our sorrow, anguish, and horror at the unthinkable harm our son Connor inflicted on innocent people, their families, and the entire Louisville community,” the statement, shared by the family’s attorney, read.
“We mourn their loss and that of our son, Connor. We pray for everyone traumatized by his senseless acts of violence and are deeply grateful for the bravery and heroism of the Louisville Metropolitan Police Department.
Read more:
Louisville bank shooter’s parents break silence
Who is Connor Sturgeon, the Louisville gunman? Basketball star, bank worker, mass shooter
Wednesday 12 April 2023 18:40 , Rachel Sharp, Megan Sheets, and Graig Graziosi
He was a high school basketball star whose father coached the team.
He was a 25-year-old University of Alabama graduate who was pursuing a career in banking in Louisville.
But now he will be remembered as America’s latest mass shooter.
On Monday, Connor Sturgeon stormed the Old National Bank in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, where he worked armed with an AR-15-style rifle.
Inside, he gunned down five of his colleagues in the first-floor conference room.
Officers responded to the scene within minutes and exchanged gunfire with the gunman, who was ultimately shot dead.
Four victims died on the scene, before a fifth died in hospital later on Monday.
The victims, all executives at the bank, have been identified as: Tommy Elliott, 63, Jim Tutt, 64, Josh Barrick, 40, Juliana Farmer, 57, and Deana Eckert, 57.
Here’s everything we know about the suspect:
Who is Connor Sturgeon, the suspect in the Louisville bank shooting?
Everything we know about the Louisville bank shooting that left six dead in Kentucky
Wednesday 12 April 2023 18:20 , Graig Graziosi and Rachel Sharp
Louisville became the latest US city rocked by gun violence this week when an employee gunned down five colleagues inside a bank before being shot dead by responding police officers.
Connor Sturgeon, a 25-year-old bank employee, entered the Old National Bank in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, and opened fire with an AR-15-style rifle.
Officers responded to the scene within minutes and exchanged gunfire with the gunman, who was ultimately shot dead.
Four victims died on the scene, before a fifth died in hospital later on Monday.
The victims, all executives at the bank, have been identified as: Tommy Elliott, 63, Jim Tutt, 64, Josh Barrick, 40, Juliana Farmer, 57, and Deana Eckert, 57.
Another eight victims were hospitalised including two police officers who were shot by the gunman after responding to the scene.
One of those officers – Louisville Metro Police Department Officer Nickolas Wilt – was shot in the head and is now fighting for his life in hospital.
Here’s what we know so far about the mass shooting:
What we know about Louisville bank shooting that left six dead
Who are the victims of the Louisville bank shooting in Kentucky?
Wednesday 12 April 2023 18:00 , Rachel Sharp and Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
A 25-year-old employee opened fire at a bank in Louisville, Kentucky, on Monday morning, killing five people and injuring eight others while live streaming the attack.
The shooter, identified as bank employee Connor Sturgeon, entered the Old National Bank in the downtown area of the city at around 8.30am armed with an AR-15-style rifle.
He shot and killed four bank executives inside the first-floor conference room before exchanging gunfire with responding police officers. Louisville deputy police chief Paul Humphrey said that he was shot dead by officer fire.
A fifth victim later succumbed to her injuries in hospital. All five were executives at the bank.
The victims have now been identified as Joshua Barrick, Thomas Elliott, Juliana Farmer, James Tutt, and Deana Eckert.
Eight others, including two police officers, were hospitalised with their injuries. One of the officers, 26-year-old Nickolas Wilt, who only graduated from the police academy in March, remains in critical condition after being shot in the head.
Mr Wilt “ran towards the gunfire today to save lives”, the police department said on Twitter.
Here is what we know so far about the victims:
Everything we know about the victims of Louisville bank shooting
Suspect holds victims hostage in Virginia Wells Fargo – days after Louisville bank shooting
Wednesday 12 April 2023 17:40 , Josh Marcus
A would-be bank robber in Virginia held five people, including a child, hostage for over an hour on Tuesday, before police were able to apprehend the man and release the hostages to safety without injury, according to the Arlington County Police.
Officers were called around 3pm to reports that a man claiming to have a gun was inside a Wells Fargo bank in Arlington, demanding money.
Police have not named the alleged robber or located any guns so far, NBC Washington reports.
Videos from a bystander across the street from the hostage scene first show large teams of police officers with body armour and riot gear.
Read more:
Virginia bank robber holds five people hostage before being arrested
'Tough time for our city:' Louisville to hold shooting vigil
Wednesday 12 April 2023 17:20 , AP
An interfaith vigil is planned Wednesday evening in downtown Louisville to remember victims of a mass shooting at a bank, allowing the public to offer prayers for the injured and to begin work toward a more peaceful city, Mayor Craig Greenberg said.
The event at the Muhammad Ali Center is just a few blocks away from Old National Bank, where a gunman killed five and injured eight others on Monday.
“This is a very tough time for our city, and we were not meant to go through tough times alone,” Greenberg said in a statement.
On Tuesday, police released body camera video that showed the chaotic moments when officers arrived at the bank as the shooter, who they couldn’t see, rained bullets down on them.
The videos, taken from two wounded officers’ lapels, offer a rare perspective of police officers responding to a massacre. One, a rookie officer, was shot in the head within minutes of arriving at the scene. His partner was grazed by a bullet and sought cover while still trying to take down the shooter. Minutes after arriving, officers fatally shot the gunman.
Read more:
'Tough time for our city:' Louisville to hold shooting vigil
Gunman shared worrying posts on social media ahead of shooting
Wednesday 12 April 2023 17:00 , Rachel Sharp
In the lead-up to the attack, Sturgeon then began posting concerning posts on Instagram, according to local reports.
His account, which has since been taken down, included a meme photo captioned: “I know what I have to do but I don’t know if I have the strength to do it”.
“I could burn this whole place down,” read another.
The shooter’s last post before the attack then read: “They won’t listen to words or protests. Let’s see if they hear this.”
Shooter detailed self-esteem struggles in 2018 essay
Wednesday 12 April 2023 16:40 , Rachel Sharp
A former classmate said that Sturgeon was popular and smart and earned the nickname “Mr Floyd Central” in high school as his father was a coach on the basketball team.
After high school, Sturgeon went on to attend the University of Alabama to study finance.
While a student in Alabama, he detailed his struggles with self-esteem and making friends.
In a 2018 university essay for the university, Sturgeon wrote about his plan to “improve myself as a whole”.
“My self-esteem has long been a problem for me,” he wrote.
VIDEO: Louisville mayor says 'officers are outgunned by assailants'
Wednesday 12 April 2023 16:20 , The Independent
‘I truly would have never expected it to be him,’ former classmate says
Wednesday 12 April 2023 16:00 , Rachel Sharp
In recent years, there has been a greater awareness of a link between athletes who suffer concussions – in particular football players – and CTE.
CTE is a brain disease caused in part by repeated traumatic brain injuries, including concussions and non-concussive impacts, according to the Boston University CTE Center.
Symptoms of CTE can appear years after the sufferer is dealt repeated blows to the head and can include mood and behaviour problems including aggression and depression.
One especially notable example is that of Aaron Hernandez, the former New England Patriots tight end who was convicted of murder. After his death by suicide, researchers found he had severe CTE.
While it remains unclear if Connor Sturgeon suffered from the condition, a former classmate spoke of his shock at what the 25-year-old went on to do.
“I know everyone always says this about shooters but I truly would have never expected it to be him,” he said.
Former classmate says gunman ‘had multiple concussions’ in high school
Wednesday 12 April 2023 15:45 , Rachel Sharp
The nature of the gunman’s mental health struggles was not revealed but it comes after a former classmate revealed that Sturgeon experienced “multiple concussions” as a high school athlete – raising questions about whether he could have suffered from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
Sturgeon grew up in Indiana and attended Floyd Central High School in Floyds Knobs, where he was a star athlete playing basketball, football and running track.
The classmate told The Daily Beast that Sturgeon suffered so many concussions while playing football that he wore a helmet on the basketball court.
“The big thing I keep going back to is that in the first year of high school, we played football together in eighth grade, he was out most of the year because he had multiple concussions,” said the former classmate, who did not want to be named.
“Then he had a couple more in high school.”
The classmate said he wondered if his injuries were linked to Monday’s shooting.
“I’m not saying it’s the cause but I always think back to that… There were times I’d wonder, will this catch up with him? But never in this way,” he said.
“He’s the last person I’d expect would do this.”
Parkland father speaks out after mayor says shooter’s gun likely to be auctioned off
Wednesday 12 April 2023 15:30 , Gustaf Kilander
Max Schachter lost his son Alex during the 2018 Parkland school shooting in Florida.
On Tuesday night, he reacted to the statements by Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, who said during a press conference that the bank shooter’s gun is likely to be auctioned off to the public under current Kentucky law.
“The thought of the Parkland murderer’s AR 15 that he used to kill Alex and 16 others being sold at auction to the highest bidder makes me want to throw up. They should fix this!” Mr Schachter said.
Texas state senator calls for transparency in Uvalde shooting as Louisville footage released
Wednesday 12 April 2023 15:15 , Gustaf Kilander
Texas state Senator Roland Gutierrez tweeted on Tuesday that “transparency is once again shown in wake of another tragic #massshooting. Yet @TxDPS has not released any footage from #Uvalde almost 11 MONTHS LATER. Their murderer is dead, just like the #Nashville & #Louisville murderers are. Give these families the closure they DESERVE. Let them know the TRUTH”.
On 24 May 2022, 19 students and two teachers were killed in a shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Seventeen were injured.
Transparency is once again shown in wake of another tragic #massshooting. Yet @TxDPS has not released any footage from #Uvalde almost 11 MONTHS LATER.
Their murderer is dead, just like the #Nashville & #Louisville murderers are.
Give these families the closure they DESERVE. Let… pic.twitter.com/A5kKspRRy6— Senator Roland Gutierrez (@RolandForTexas) April 11, 2023
‘There were never any warning signs or indications he was capable of this,’ family says
Wednesday 12 April 2023 15:00 , Rachel Sharp
The family of the gunman said in a statement that “while Connor, like many of his contemporaries, had mental health challenges which we, as a family, were actively addressing, there were never any warning signs or indications he was capable of this shocking act.”
The family said that they are cooperating fully with investigators in the case as they try to piece together what led up to the horror attack.
“While we have many unanswered questions, we will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement officials and do all we can to aid everyone in understanding why and how this happened,” they said.
The family’s attorney also revealed that Sturgeon sent a final text message to his family before he opened fire in the bank.
“I love you,” it read.
Louisville bank shooter’s parents break silence on ‘senseless’ attack and reveal his final text
Wednesday 12 April 2023 14:45 , Rachel Sharp
The parents of the mass shooter who killed five colleagues in a Louisville bank on Monday have broken their silence to condemn their son’s “senseless acts of violence”.
Connor Sturgeon’s family released a statement expressing their “sorrow, anguish, and horror” at the “unthinkable harm” caused by the 25-year-old Old National Bank employee.
While Sturgeon did struggle with his mental health, his family said there were no warning signs to suggest what he would go on to do.
“No words can express our sorrow, anguish, and horror at the unthinkable harm our son Connor inflicted on innocent people, their families, and the entire Louisville community,” the statement, shared by the family’s attorney, read.
“We mourn their loss and that of our son, Connor. We pray for everyone traumatized by his senseless acts of violence and are deeply grateful for the bravery and heroism of the Louisville Metropolitan Police Department.
Read more:
Louisville bank shooter’s parents break silence
Gun used in Louisville bank mass killing will be auctioned off to the public
Wednesday 12 April 2023 14:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar
The weapon that the 25-year-old gunman, Connor Sturgeon, used for shooting in the Louisville bank on Monday will probably be auctioned to the public, it was reported.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg called for a change in the way confiscated guns are handled. He criticised the state laws and added: “My administration has already taken action to remove the firing pin before turning confiscated guns over to the state. Because that’s all that the current law allows us to do.”
He said, during a press conference on Tuesday: “Under current Kentucky law, the assault rifle that was used to murder five of our neighbours and shoot at rescuing police officers will one day be auctioned off.”
“Think about that. That murder weapon will be back on the streets.”
The semi-automatic weapon had been purchased by Sturgeon on 4 April.
Mayor says Louisville murder weapon will be back on streets under state’s current law
Wednesday 12 April 2023 14:00 , Gustaf Kilander
The mayor of Louisville, Kentucky, Democrat Craig Greenberg, slammed the state’s gun laws during a press briefing after the bank shooting that left five dead.
Mr Greenberg was speaking on Tuesday after Monday’s assault on Old National Bank in downtown Louisville.
“To those in the national media that are joining us here today, this may be even more shocking than it is to those of us locally who know this and are dealing with this,” Mr Greenberg said.
“But under current Kentucky law, the assault rifle that was used to murder five of our neighbours and shoot at rescuing police officers will one day be auctioned off. Think about that,” he added.
“That murder weapon will be back on the streets one day, under Kentucky’s current law,” he said. “My administration has already taken action to remove the firing pin before turning confiscated guns over to the state. Because that’s all that the current law allows us to do.”
Read more:
Mayor says Louisville murder weapon will be back on streets under state’s current law
Louisville shooter sent family ‘I love you’ message before attack
Wednesday 12 April 2023 13:45 , Rachel Sharp
Connor Sturgeon sent a final text message to his family before he opened fire in the bank, according to the family’s attorney.
“I love you,” the text read.
Not long later, the gunman entered Old National Bank armed with an AR-15 and killed five colleagues.
He then exchanged gunfire with officers responding to the scene before being shot dead.
Kentucky Democrat slams Republicans for ‘banning books and pronouns’ while gun violence soars
Wednesday 12 April 2023 13:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Kentucky Democratic Rep Morgan McGarvey slammed Republicans for “banning books and pronouns” while ignoring gun violence after the Louisville bank shooting.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Mr McGarvey attacked lawmakers who oppose gun control for leaving law enforcement hamstrung to stop mass shootings before they begin.
“We don’t have the tools on the books to deal with someone who is an imminent danger to themselves or to others,” Mr McGarvey said on Tuesday. “We can do this. We can come together at the federal level working with each other to solve this problem, which is impacting all of us in a uniquely American way, and get universal background checks, so that people who shouldn’t have a gun can’t buy one, that we are taking weapons of war off of our streets, that we are helping people who are in crisis.”
“That is not a political issue. But it becomes one when Kentucky Republicans would rather ban books and pronouns and then make Kentucky a sanctuary state for weapons. We are hurting,” he added.
WATCH: Moment Louisville doctor begs lawmakers to ‘do something’ on gun violence
Wednesday 12 April 2023 13:15 , Rachel Sharp
What we know about the Louisville bank shooting that left six dead in Kentucky
Wednesday 12 April 2023 13:00 , Graig Graziosi and Rachel Sharp
Louisville became the latest US city rocked by gun violence this week when an employee gunned down five colleagues inside a bank before being shot dead by responding police officers.
Connor Sturgeon, a 25-year-old bank employee, entered the Old National Bank in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, and opened fire with an AR-15-style rifle.
Officers responded to the scene within minutes and exchanged gunfire with the gunman, who was ultimately shot dead.
Four victims died on the scene, before a fifth died in hospital later on Monday.
The victims, all executives at the bank, have been identified as: Tommy Elliott, 63, Jim Tutt, 64, Josh Barrick, 40, Juliana Farmer, 57, and Deana Eckert, 57.
Read more:
What we know about Louisville bank shooting that left six dead
Shooting unfolded within just one minute
Wednesday 12 April 2023 12:45 , Rachel Sharp
The mass shooter took just one minute to carry out horror attack, where he killed five bank colleagues and wounded another eight victims.
Connor Sturgeon, 25, opened fire inside Old National Bank in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, on Monday morning, livestreaming the shooting on Instagram.
A Louisville city official described the livestream to CNN, revealing that the gunman’s attack on his colleagues lasted only around one minute.
He then sat in the lobby area appearing to wait for police officers to arrive.
After about a minute and half, officers arrived and gunfire was exchanged.
‘I witnessed people being murdered. I don’t know how else to say that’
Wednesday 12 April 2023 12:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar
The shooting unfolded at around 8.30am on Monday morning when Connor Sturgeon entered the bank armed with an AR-15-style rifle.
Bank manager Rebecca Buchheit-Sims was quoted as saying by CNN that the executives were gathered in a first-floor conference room in the building for their morning meeting.
She had joined the meeting remotely on Microsoft Teams.
The meeting was in full flow when she says she saw Sturgeon burst into the room and open fire on the staff members.
“I witnessed people being murdered. I don’t know how else to say that,” she said.
“I’m just as much in shock and disbelief and was in disbelief as I watched it unravel.”
As well as the attack being captured on the Teams call, Sturgeon was livestreaming his shooting rampage online.
Connor Sturgeon shot woman in back as she fled
Wednesday 12 April 2023 12:15 , Rachel Sharp
Louisville mass shooter Connor Sturgeon allegedly shot a woman in the back as she fled the gunfire, according to a report.
A Louisville city official told CNN that Sturgeon entered the Old National Bank and was greeted with a “good morning” from a female worker inside.
The 25-year-old shooter responded by telling her: “You need to get out of here.”
As the woman turned to flee, the gunman tried to shoot her.
His first attempt to shoot the woman failed because he still had the safety latch on the AR-15 and it wasn’t loaded, the official said.
He then removed the safety and loaded the gun and took another shot at the female employee, shooting her in the back.
It is unclear whether she is one of the victims killed in the attack.
Louisville bank manager recounts watching disgruntled employee shoot dead coworkers during video call
Wednesday 12 April 2023 12:00 , Rachel Sharp
A manager at Old National Bank in Louisville has revealed how she was forced to look on helplessly as her coworkers were gunned down by a disgruntled employee during a Microsoft Teams session.
Bank manager Rebecca Buchheit-Sims told CNN that she was on a video call with a group of colleagues who were together in the first-floor conference room of the bank in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, on Monday morning.
The meeting was in full swing when shooter Connor Sturgeon burst into the room and opened fire on the staff members with an AR-15-style rifle.
“I witnessed people being murdered. I don’t know how else to say that,” she said.
“I’m just as much in shock and disbelief and was in disbelief as I watched it unravel.”
Read more:
Louisville bank manager witnessed coworkers being shot dead on Microsoft Teams
Vigil to be held to honour victims today
Wednesday 12 April 2023 11:45 , Rachel Sharp
Louisville is set to hold a vigil on Wednesday in memory of the five victims killed and eight others wounded in Monday’s mass shooting.
The vigil will take place at 5pm ET on Wednesday at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville/
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said at a press conference on Tuesday that the vigil will “acknowledge the wounds, physical and emotional, that gun violence leaves behind.
“It will be an interfaith opportunity for our entire community to come together – to grieve, to heal, to begin to move forward.”
Louisville doctor treating bank shooting victims chokes up as he begs lawmakers to ‘do something’
Wednesday 12 April 2023 11:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar
The Louisville doctor treating the victims of Monday’s mass shooting choked up with emotion as he said that he has become “weary” from seeing so many people killed or wounded as a result of gun violence.
Speaking at an emotional press conference on Tuesday, Dr Jason Smith, chief medical officer of UofL Health, made an impassioned plea to lawmakers to take action to stop the cycle of shootings.
He said that his team had “barely had to adjust our operating room schedule” to deal with Monday’s shooting at the Old National Bank because of “how frequent we are having to deal with gun violence in our community”.
Louisville doctor chokes up as he begs lawmakers to ‘do something’ after shooting
WATCH: Bodycam shows police confronting and fatally shooting Louisville bank shooter
Wednesday 12 April 2023 11:15 , Rachel Sharp
Fox contributor interrupts Louisville shooting segment with impassioned plea for gun reform: ‘I’m sick and tired’
Wednesday 12 April 2023 11:00 , Gustaf Kilander
A Fox News contributor made an impassioned plea for gun reform during a segment on the Louisville shooting.
Ted Williams, a former Washington, DC homicide detective, appeared on Fox News on Monday afternoon.
“From what I understand, this shooter had phoned a friend and said that he was suicidal and that he was going to shoot up a bank. If that is the truth, then I think that we need to again, look at what is going on in our society,” he said.
“You know, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Just two weeks ago, I stood in front of a camera where you had some kids, some babies shot in Tennessee with a person who by the way had an AR-15. And from what we’ve been told here this individual had that same kind of weapon,” he added. “And when you look at mental illness, if mental illness is involved here, and that weapon – that’s a dangerous concoction, and we’ve got to do something in this society.”
Read more:
Fox contributor interrupts Louisville segment with impassioned plea for gun reform
Over in Tennessee... governor calls for tighter gun laws
Wednesday 12 April 2023 10:45 , Rachel Sharp
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has broken rank with the Republican party to call for tighter gun laws in the wake of last week’s mass shooting in Nashville.
On Tuesday, the Republican governor signed an executive order strengthening background checks on individuals buying guns.
“When there is a clear need for action, I think that we have an obligation to remind people that we should set aside politics and pride and accomplish something that the people of Tennessee want to get accomplished,” he said in a press conference.
Mr Lee also issued a plea to lawmakers to pass a red flag law to stop firearms ending up in the hands of dangerous individuals.
Mayor’s emotional appeal to politicians: ‘We have to take action now’
Wednesday 12 April 2023 10:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Louisville mayor Craig Greenberg issued an emotional appeal on Tuesday for politicians to act to curb gun violence.
“We have to take action now,” Mr Greenberg said.
“We need short-term action to end this gun violence epidemic now so fewer people die on our streets, and in our banks, and in our schools and in our churches. And for that, we need help. We need help from our friends in [the Kentucky capital of] Frankfort and help from our friends in Washington, DC.”
Louisville bank shooter’s parents break silence
Wednesday 12 April 2023 10:15 , Rachel Sharp
The parents of the mass shooter who killed five colleagues in a Louisville bank on Monday have broken their silence to condemn their son’s “senseless acts of violence”.
Connor Sturgeon’s family released a statement expressing their “sorrow, anguish, and horror” at the “unthinkable harm” caused by the 25-year-old Old National Bank employee.
While Sturgeon did struggle with his mental health, his family said there were no warning signs to suggest what he would go on to do.
“No words can express our sorrow, anguish, and horror at the unthinkable harm our son Connor inflicted on innocent people, their families, and the entire Louisville community,” the statement, shared by the family’s attorney, read.
The Independent’s Rachel Sharp has the full story:
Louisville bank shooter’s parents break silence
Chief: Outlook 'hopeful' for officer hit in mass shooting
Wednesday 12 April 2023 10:00 , AP
A rookie police officer who was shot in the head while responding to the mass shooting at a Louisville bank remained in critical but stable condition Tuesday morning, the police chief said.
“It’s looking hopeful,” Louisville Metro Police Department Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel told WDRB-TV about Officer Nickolas Wilt, who had graduated from training just 10 days earlier.
She said Wilt and other officers “unflinchingly” engaged the shooter at Old National Bank and stopped him from killing more people.
Authorities said Tuesday that the investigation into the shooting was continuing and body camera video will be released later.
Connor Sturgeon, 25, an employee of the bank, opened fire with a rifle at his workplace Monday morning, killing five people — including a close friend of Kentucky’s governor — while livestreaming the attack on Instagram, authorities said. Another eight people were wounded.
Read more:
Chief: Outlook 'hopeful' for officer hit in mass shooting
ICYMI: Who was Connor Sturgeon?
Wednesday 12 April 2023 09:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Connor Sturgeon, a bank employee, was identified by law enforcement as the shooter on Monday afternoon.
According to a LinkedIn account in his name, Sturgeon had worked at the bank as a syndications associate and portfolio banker.
The motive for the attack remains unclear but the gunman is said to have left behind ominous warnings about his deadly plans for his family and friends to find.
Police dispatch audio, released by Broadcastify, captures the minute-by-minute police response to Monday’s horror attack
In the audio, the dispatcher is heard relaying to law enforcement officials on the scene that Sturgeon had called a friend before the attack and left a chilling voicemail saying he felt “suicidal” and planned to “kill everyone at the bank”.
Sturgeon had also written a note to his parents and a friend outlining his plans to open fire in the bank, a law enforcement source told CNN.
The source said that Sturgeon had worked at the bank for over a year but had been recently notified that he was going to be fired.
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.
Louisville doctor treating bank shooting victims chokes up as he begs lawmakers to ‘do something’
Wednesday 12 April 2023 09:00 , Rachel Sharp
The Louisville doctor treating the victims of Monday’s mass shooting choked up with emotion as he said that he has become “weary” from seeing so many people killed or wounded as a result of gun violence.
Speaking at an emotional press conference on Tuesday, Dr Jason Smith, chief medical officer of UofL Health, made an impassioned plea to lawmakers to take action to stop the cycle of shootings.
He said that his team had “barely had to adjust our operating room schedule” to deal with Monday’s shooting at the Old National Bank because of “how frequent we are having to deal with gun violence in our community”.
“I’ll tell you personally, I’m weary. I’ve been in Louisville for 15 years, all of it at University Hospital. For 15 years, I’ve cared for victims of violence and gunshot wounds. And people say, ‘I’m tired,’ but I’ll be honest, it’s more than tired. I’m weary,” he said.
“There’s only so many times you can walk into a room and tell someone they’re not coming home tomorrow. And it just breaks your heart.”
Read more:
Louisville doctor chokes up as he begs lawmakers to ‘do something’ after shooting
‘I witnessed people being murdered. I don’t know how else to say that’
Wednesday 12 April 2023 08:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar
The shooting unfolded at around 8.30am on Monday morning when Connor Sturgeon entered the bank armed with an AR-15-style rifle.
Bank manager Rebecca Buchheit-Sims was quoted as saying by CNN that the executives were gathered in a first-floor conference room in the building for their morning meeting.
She had joined the meeting remotely on Microsoft Teams.
The meeting was in full flow when she says she saw Sturgeon burst into the room and open fire on the staff members.
“I witnessed people being murdered. I don’t know how else to say that,” she said.
“I’m just as much in shock and disbelief and was in disbelief as I watched it unravel.”
As well as the attack being captured on the Teams call, Sturgeon was livestreaming his shooting rampage online.
Louisville bank shooter legally bought AR-15-style rifle just six days before massacre
Wednesday 12 April 2023 08:00 , Rachel Sharp
The disgruntled employee who killed five in a mass shooting at a bank in Louisville legally bought the AR-15-style rifle just six days before carrying out the massacre.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday morning, Louisville Metro Police Department Interim Chief Jackie Gwinn-Villaroel said that gunman Connor Sturgeon purchased the gun used in the attack from a local dealership in the city on 4 April.
Just six days later, Sturgeon – a current employee at the bank – entered the Old National Bank in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, on Monday morning armed with the rifle.
He opened fire in a first-floor conference room as executives gathered for their morning meeting – all the while livestreaming the massacre on his Instagram account.
Officers responded to the scene within minutes and exchanged gunfire with the gunman, shooting him dead.
Read more:
Louisville bank shooter legally bought AR-15-style rifle six days before massacre
Two police officers were wounded during the ambush
Wednesday 12 April 2023 07:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Police released the bodycam footage on Tuesday that shows the tense moments as officers Corey Galloway and Nickolas Wilt try to ascertain the gunman’s position.
Both these officers were wounded in the shooting.
Wilt was still in training less than two weeks after graduating from the police academy. He was shot in the head and is hospitalised in critical condition.
Officer Cory Galloway was also left wounded and was the one who fired the round that took down the gunman.
The victims: James Tutt
Wednesday 12 April 2023 07:00 , Rachel Sharp and Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
James Tutt, 64, was a real estate market executive at the Old National Bank, where he spent almost a decade.
Oldham County judge executive David Voegele knew Tutt for 11 years from his time on the board of the Oldham-La Grange Development Authority.
“He added a tremendous amount of insights as we went about developing our office park in LaGrange,” Mr Voegele told The Courier-Journal.
“He’s a very high quality, well-thought-of individual … It’s just sickening to hear what’s happened.”
Tutt was a Frankfort native who graduated from the University of Kentucky and worked in banking for over 38 years.
He leaves behind his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Gunman was waiting for responding officers and hiding in shadows
Wednesday 12 April 2023 06:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Louisville Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey said at a press conference on Tuesday that 25-year-old Connor Sturgeon was lying in wait for the responding officers by positioning himself in the shadows behind several sets of glass doors.
“He could see out where no one could see in,” Mr Humphrey said.
The police also released body camera footage of their response to the gunman at the bank.
Sturgeon shot 13 people, killing five of them: Josh Barrick, 40; Tommy Elliott, 63; Jim Tutt, 64; Juliana Farmer, 57; and Deanna Eckert, 57.
The victims: Deana Eckert
Wednesday 12 April 2023 06:00 , Rachel Sharp and Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Deana Eckert was rushed to hospital after Monday’s shooting and underwent multiple surgeries.
She succumbed to her injuries later that night, Louisville Metro Police said.
The 57-year-old was an executive administrative officer at the Old National Bank, where she worked for almost seven years.
Eckert graduated from Western Kentucky University.
Gun used in Louisville bank mass killing will be auctioned off to the public
Wednesday 12 April 2023 05:51 , Maroosha Muzaffar
The weapon that the 25-year-old gunman, Connor Sturgeon, used for shooting in the Louisville bank on Monday will probably be auctioned to the public, it was reported.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg called for a change in the way confiscated guns are handled. He criticised the state laws and added: “My administration has already taken action to remove the firing pin before turning confiscated guns over to the state. Because that’s all that the current law allows us to do.”
He said, during a press conference on Tuesday: “Under current Kentucky law, the assault rifle that was used to murder five of our neighbours and shoot at rescuing police officers will one day be auctioned off.”
“Think about that. That murder weapon will be back on the streets.”
The semi-automatic weapon had been purchased by Sturgeon on 4 April.
Police release bodycam footage
Wednesday 12 April 2023 05:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Louisville Metro Police Department on Tuesday released body camera footage of their response to the gunman at the bank.
Rep Morgan McGarvey criticised Republicans for “banning books and pronouns” instead of legislating to prevent gun violence.
Connor Sturgeon, 25, purchased the automatic rifle he used in the shooting just six days before the attack.
A vigil for the victims will be held today.
The victims: Juliana Farmer
Wednesday 12 April 2023 05:00 , Rachel Sharp and Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
uliana Farmer, 45, was a loan analyst with the Old National Bank, according to her LinkedIn page.
In her last post on Facebook on Sunday – one day before she was killed – she celebrated the fact she was expecting another grandchild.
“My (heart) is so happy!!!” she wrote. “Grand #5 on the way.”
Farmer’s family revealed that she had only recently moved to Louisville.
Michael Williams, who said he was Farmer’s uncle, wrote on Facebook: “She told me she was moving to Louisville, she had a great job opportunity. Now we’re mourning you losing your life at the job. I’m just hurt.”
The victims: Joshua Barrick
Wednesday 12 April 2023 04:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Joshua Barrick, 40, was a senior vice president of commercial real estate banking at Old National. Barrick had worked for about two decades in banking and previously worked at WesBanco, according to The Courier-Journal.
Louisville Business First named him one of its 20 People to Know in Banking in 2020.
He is survived by his wife and two children.
The Holy Trinity Parish Louisville held a vigil on Monday evening to honour Barrick’s life. “They’re in shock,” pastor Shayne Duval said of Barrick’s family.
“I’ve been with his wife. I’ve been with his children. I’ve been with his brother and members of this community,” he was quoted by Fox19 as saying. “Everyone is just kind of walking around in a fog like, ‘Did this just really happen?’”
“Josh made himself known in our community in all the good ways. He was a very charismatic and charming man,” the pastor added.
The victims: Tommy Elliott
Wednesday 12 April 2023 04:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Thomas “Tommy” Elliott, 63, was a senior vice president of commercial real estate at Old National Bank.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said Elliott was one of his closest friends. “Tommy Elliot helped me … to become governor,” Mr Beshear said at Monday’s news conference.
“He gave me advice on being a good dad… he was an incredible friend,” the governor said, his voice shaking with emotion.
“The soul is eternal. I know that I will see Tommy again”.
Elliott, the former chair of the Kentucky Retirement Systems board, was reportedly threatened with arrest in 2016 when he refused to resign at the direction of then-Governor Matt Bevin. Elliott was appointed to the board by former Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear.
Former Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said he had also known Elliott for 40 years. They became close friends, and when Mr Fischer launched his first bid to be mayor, Elliott signed on to be his campaign finance manager and remained with him for the rest of his political career.
Mr Fischer said Elliott was a devoted family man. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and two stepdaughters.
‘Self-esteem’
Wednesday 12 April 2023 03:30 , Rachel Sharp, Megan Sheets, and Graig Graziosi
After high school, Sturgeon went on to attend the University of Alabama to study finance, before moving to Louisville.
While a student in Alabama, he detailed his struggles with self-esteem and making friends.
In a 2018 university essay for the university, seen by The Daily Beast, Sturgeon wrote about his plan to “improve myself as a whole”.
“My self-esteem has long been a problem for me,” he wrote.
“As a late bloomer in middle and high school, I struggled to a certain extent to fit in, and this has given me a somewhat negative self-image that persists today.
“Making friends has never been especially easy, so I have more experience than most in operating alone. Furthermore, college has introduced a whole new atmosphere and new challenges, so it is easy to feel like I am not doing as well as I should be.”
He continued: “This semester, however, I think I have begun to mature socially and am beginning to see improvement in this area. I have found that taking time out to take stock of how I feel and what I can do to feel better has helped me be more social and in turn feel better about myself.”
Star basketball player who suffered concussions
Wednesday 12 April 2023 03:00 , Rachel Sharp, Megan Sheets, and Graig Graziosi
In high school, Sturgeon was a star basketball player who is said to have suffered many concussions.
His family lived in Greenville, Indiana, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal, and he graduated from Floyd Central High School in Floyds Knobs, Indiana.
He played basketball, football and running track at the school.
His father was a coach on the basketball team and Sturgeon earned the nickname “Mr Floyd Central”.
A former classmate told The Daily Beast that Sturgeon suffered multiple concussions while playing football – so much so that he wore a helmet on the basketball court.
“We played football together in eighth grade. He was out most of the year because he had multiple concussions,” the former classmate, who did not want to be named, said.
“Then he had a couple more in high school.”
The classmate said he wondered if his injuries were linked to Monday’s shooting given the wider awareness around Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) today.
Kentucky Democrat slams Republicans for ‘banning books and pronouns’ while gun violence soars
Wednesday 12 April 2023 02:30 , Gustaf Kilander
Kentucky Democratic Rep Morgan McGarvey slammed Republicans for “banning books and pronouns” while ignoring gun violence after the Louisville bank shooting.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Mr McGarvey attacked lawmakers who oppose gun control for leaving law enforcement hamstrung to stop mass shootings before they begin.
“We don’t have the tools on the books to deal with someone who is an imminent danger to themselves or to others,” Mr McGarvey said on Tuesday. “We can do this. We can come together at the federal level working with each other to solve this problem, which is impacting all of us in a uniquely American way, and get universal background checks, so that people who shouldn’t have a gun can’t buy one, that we are taking weapons of war off of our streets, that we are helping people who are in crisis.”
“That is not a political issue. But it becomes one when Kentucky Republicans would rather ban books and pronouns and then make Kentucky a sanctuary state for weapons. We are hurting,” he added.
Read more:
Kentucky Democrat slams Republicans for ‘banning books and pronouns’
Mayor says Louisville murder weapon will be back on streets under state’s current law
Wednesday 12 April 2023 02:00 , Gustaf Kilander
The mayor of Louisville, Kentucky, Democrat Craig Greenberg, slammed the state’s gun laws during a press briefing after the bank shooting that left five dead.
Mr Greenberg was speaking on Tuesday after Monday’s assault on Old National Bank in downtown Louisville.
“To those in the national media that are joining us here today, this may be even more shocking than it is to those of us locally who know this and are dealing with this,” Mr Greenberg said.
“But under current Kentucky law, the assault rifle that was used to murder five of our neighbours and shoot at rescuing police officers will one day be auctioned off. Think about that,” he added.
“That murder weapon will be back on the streets one day, under Kentucky’s current law,” he said. “My administration has already taken action to remove the firing pin before turning confiscated guns over to the state. Because that’s all that the current law allows us to do.”
Read more:
Mayor says Louisville murder weapon will be back on streets under state’s current law
Chilling messages
Wednesday 12 April 2023 01:30 , Rachel Sharp, Megan Sheets, and Graig Graziosi
The motive for the attack remains unclear but the gunman is said to have left behind ominous warnings about his deadly plans for his family and friends to find.
In the lead-up to the attack, Sturgeon began posting concerning posts on Instagram, according to local reports.
His account, which has since been taken down, included a meme photo captioned: “I know what I have to do but I don’t know if I have the strength to do it”.
“I could burn this whole place down,” read another.
The shooter’s last post before the attack then read: “They won’t listen to words or protests. Let’s see if they hear this.”
Police dispatch audio, released by Broadcastify, also captured the minute-by-minute police response to Monday’s horror attack.
In the audio, the dispatcher is heard relaying to law enforcement officials on the scene that Sturgeon had called a friend before the attack and left a chilling voicemail saying he felt “suicidal” and planned to “kill everyone at the bank”.
Sturgeon had also written a note to his parents and a friend outlining his plans to open fire in the bank, a law enforcement source told CNN.
He then live-streamed his shooting rampage on Instagram on Monday.
Bank worker
Wednesday 12 April 2023 01:00 , Rachel Sharp, Megan Sheets, and Graig Graziosi
Sturgeon was identified by law enforcement as the shooter on Monday afternoon.
According to a LinkedIn account in his name, Sturgeon had worked at the bank as a syndications associate and portfolio banker.
A source told CNN that Sturgeon had worked at the bank for over a year but had been recently notified that he was going to be fired.
Prior to becoming a full-time employee, Sturgeon worked as a summer intern during his time at university.
Bank manager Rebecca Buchheit-Sims was on a Microsoft Teams meeting with the executives when the attack unfolded – leaving her helplessly watching her colleagues die.
She said she didn’t personally work with Sturgeon but knew of him because Sturgeon’s father coaches her son’s high school basketball team.
She said she had never seen any signs of violence or threats from the 25-year-old.
“His temperament is pretty low-key. I’ve never seen the kid get angry or upset about anything in public. He was pretty much just relaxed,” she said, describing him as “extremely intelligent” and with “just kind of a monotone personality”.
Police say shooting went on for nine minutes
Wednesday 12 April 2023 00:30 , Gustaf Kilander
The shooting went on for about nine minutes, police have said.
Louisville Metro Police Department Lt Col Aaron Crowell told the press on Tuesday that the gunman was “neutralized” about three minutes after the police response began.
“It’s about a nine-minute span from the time he begins his assault,” he said. “And then there’s a few minutes after that, before we get the first call on it. Three minutes after that, when we respond to the scene. And then about three minutes after, we respond, the subject is neutralized.”
VIDEO: Kentucky Democrat slams Republicans for ‘banning books’ while gun violence soars
Wednesday 12 April 2023 00:00 , Gustaf Kilander
LMPD release photos of officers
Tuesday 11 April 2023 23:46 , Graeme Massie
This undated photo released by the Louisville Metro Police Department shows Officer Nickolas Wilt and Officer Cory “CJ” Galloway. They were the officers who initially responded to an active shooting situation at Old National Bank, in Louisville, Kentucky on Monday, 10 April, 2023.
University of Louisville releases statement on shooting
Tuesday 11 April 2023 23:31 , Graeme Massie
Kim Schatzel, University of Louisville president, released a statement in response to the shooting on Twitter.
“Yesterday’s shooting in downtown Louisville continues to shake all of us, especially those who were closest to the victims. Several members of our campus community were beloved family members and dear friends of the victims of the horrible attack,” she wrote.
“Please keep those injured or killed, those that love them, our fellow Cardinals and our entire Louisville community in your prayers and thoughts. I know you join me in sending our deepest condolences to those who lost a loved one so tragically in the shooting.”
Bodycam shows police confronting and fatally shooting Louisville bank shooter
Tuesday 11 April 2023 23:22 , Graeme Massie
Bodycam shows police confronting and fatally shooting Louisville bank shooter
Bodycam shows police response to bank shooting
Tuesday 11 April 2023 23:00 , Graeme Massie
Police release bodycam footage from Louisville bank mass shooting
Tuesday 11 April 2023 22:53 , Graeme Massie
The shooting in Louisville claimed five lives and left eight more people injured.
Police release bodycam footage from Louisville bank mass shooting
Gunman was laying in wait for officers, say police
Tuesday 11 April 2023 22:46 , Graeme Massie
Gunman Connor Sturgeon was laying in wait for Louisville police officers when they responded to the bank shooting, say LMPD bosses.
Louisville Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey told reporters that the shooter went to the bank’s lobby “after assaulting the victims in the office area.”
And they say that he stayed behind several sets of glass doors in the shadows from a position of tactical advantage over the officers who arrived on the scene.
“He could see out where no one could see in,” Humphrey said.
LMPD posts officer bodycam during police response to Louisville shooting
Tuesday 11 April 2023 22:45 , Graeme Massie
First pictures of gunman at bank shooting
Tuesday 11 April 2023 22:40 , Graeme Massie
Louisville Police release files of two officers involved in shooting response
Tuesday 11 April 2023 22:35 , Graeme Massie
Police release files of two officers involved in shooting response.
Police praise ‘amazing’ action of first responders
Tuesday 11 April 2023 22:26 , Graeme Massie
“What you saw in that video was amazing, absolutely tragic, but amazing. There are only a few people in the country that can do what they did. they deserve to be honoured for this,” said Louisville Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey.
“The most heroic things at the peak of our career that we do are shrouded in other people’s tragedies. As a profession, we are here to save people and even though we saved lives that day there are people that lost theirs and we need to honour and respect them.”
Injured officer praised for his actions at bank
Tuesday 11 April 2023 22:22 , Graeme Massie
Louisville Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey praised the actions of Officer Nickolas Wilt, who was shot in the head during the incident.
“Officer Wilt was a brand new officer, he had no experience. He was going based on two things: his training and his character,” said Humphrey.
“And you will see that he never hesitates — even after getting shot at — this young man went back into the line of fire in order to protect others, and you’re going to see that and how he made his decisions and how they ultimately protected other people’s lives.”
Footage shows bravery of Louisville police officers, says chief
Tuesday 11 April 2023 22:13 , Graeme Massie
Interim Chief Jacquelyn Gwynn-Villaroel told the press conference that the bodycam footage shows the bravery of the officers on the ground.
“These officers unflinchingly answered the call to protect and their duty to serve. They confronted acts of violence head-on and neutralized the threat,” she said at a news conference before the video was played.
Press conference underway in Louisville
Tuesday 11 April 2023 22:02 , Graeme Massie
LMPD will then release 6 to 7 minutes of police bodycam video.
Fox News cuts off mayor during briefing as he asks for blood donations
Tuesday 11 April 2023 22:00 , Gustaf Kilander
Fox cutting coverage of the mayor during the press conference while he is asking for blood donations: That was the Mayor who was expressing some political thoughts there. I’m not sure if all of that was necessary pic.twitter.com/MtMVC4XbkY
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 11, 2023
VIDEO: Louisville doctor asks lawmakers to 'do something' on gun violence after bank shooting
Tuesday 11 April 2023 21:30 , Gustaf Kilander
VIDEO: Mayor says Louisville murder weapon will be back on streets under state's current law
Tuesday 11 April 2023 21:00 , Gustaf Kilander
Old National Bank releases statement after shooting
Tuesday 11 April 2023 20:30 , Gustaf Kilander
Old National Bank CEO Jim Ryan said in a statement that“there are no words to adequately describe the sadness and devastation that our Old National family is experiencing as we grieve the tragic loss of our team members and pray for the recovery of all those who were injured”.
“Obviously, this is an incredibly difficult situation, and our entire focus is on making sure that everyone affected has the support and assistance they need,” he added. “On behalf of everyone at Old National, I also want to acknowledge and thank Louisville law enforcement, the medical community and state and local officials for their incredible response to this tragedy. And finally, we ask you to please continue to pray for all those affected.”
Parkland survivor calls out Florida senator after he reveals friend was killed in Louisville shooting
Tuesday 11 April 2023 20:00 , Graeme Massie
Parkland shooting survivor David Hogg called out US Senator from Florida Rick Scott after he revealed a close friend was shot and killed in Louisville.
Mr Scott, a Republican, took to Twitter to mourn the killing of Tommy Elliott by gunman Connor Sturgeon at the Old National Bank on Monday.
“My friend Tommy Elliott was killed today in Louisville. He was my banker for many years. This news is very shocking and sad for Ann and me. He did so much in the Louisville community, and we pray for his family during this awful time,” wrote Mr Scott.
Sturgeon was shot and killed by police after killing five people and injuring another eight in an attack on the bank with an AR-15 rifle after he was fired from his job there.
Mr Hogg, 22, is a gun control activist and a survivor of the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida that killed 17 people and injured another 17.
Read more:
Parkland survivor calls out Florida senator whose friend was killed in Louisville
Two separate investigations are ongoing following bank shooting
Tuesday 11 April 2023 19:40 , Gustaf Kilander
Two different investigations are ongoing after Monday’s bank shooting that left five dead.
Lt Col Aaron Crowell told reporters during a briefing on Tuesday that “because of the complexity of the scene, we had made the determination yesterday to segment the internal shooting ... between the shooter and the employees, a homicide investigation and then the Public Integrity Unit will be the external shooting incident, which was between the suspect and the officers”.
“So there’s two separate investigations going. Local Metro Police will be handling the Public Integrity Unit and the homicide investigation,” he added.
