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Louisville, Kentucky Shooting: 6 people are dead and 8 are injured

6 individuals lost their lives, and 8 were injured during a shooting incident that took place in downtown Louisville.

Image Credit: CNN

On Monday morning, a shooting occurred in downtown Louisville where a gunman killed five individuals and injured eight others. The incident took place near the Louisville Slugger Field when the gunman opened fire from the Old National Bank Building. The police were alerted around 8:30 am and responded within three minutes, engaging in a shootout with the suspect, identified as 25-year-old Connor Sturgeon, who was ultimately shot and killed by the police.

Sturgeon was an employee of the bank and had used a rifle in the attack, which was also live-streamed online. The Louisville Metro Police Department Interim Chief, Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel, stated that she was unaware of how the gunman had obtained the weapon. Following the incident, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed his grief and pain.

Louisville officials disclosed the identities of four individuals killed in the Monday morning shooting. The victims were identified as Joshua Barrick (40 years old), Thomas Elliott (aged 63, although authorities gave a different spelling for the name), James Tutt (64 years old), and Juliana Farmer (whose age was reported differently by authorities).

A LinkedIn page with the same name indicated that Elliott was a prominent senior vice president at Old National Bank. Governor Beshear affirmed that they were close acquaintances.

Governor Beshear expressed his emotional gratitude towards Tommy Elliott, stating that he helped him establish his legal profession, assisted him in becoming governor, and provided guidance on fatherhood. Meanwhile, according to a LinkedIn profile under the name Deanna Eckert, the 57-year-old also passed away during the attack. Eckert held an executive administrative position at the bank.

The University of Louisville Hospital reported that nine individuals were transported to their facility with various injuries, including three police officers. Of the nine victims, three were released after treatment, three were admitted with non-fatal injuries, and three were in critical condition as of Monday afternoon. Five individuals suffered from gunshot wounds.

Among the wounded was Officer Nickolas Wilt, who had just graduated from the police academy on March 31. Officer Wilt was shot in the head and had to undergo brain surgery, according to Gwinn-Villaroel.

"I've personally visited the family to express my love and support, and I've also been present with all the affected families today to demonstrate our care and support for them. If they need anything further from the Louisville Metro Police Department, we will provide it," she said.

The incident happened in the Old National Bank Building, which is a multi-story structure comprising a bank on the ground floor and commercial and residential spaces on the upper floors. According to authorities, all the victims were either employees of the bank or police officers.

Following news of the shooting, individuals within Louisville and beyond expressed messages of condolence and sorrow. Calls for modifications to the country's gun laws were also made.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg described the shooting as a "horrendous tragedy" and a "malevolent instance of gun violence."

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who represents Kentucky, expressed his grief and shock at the news of the shooting. He stated that he and his wife, Elaine, were "heartbroken" and praying for the victims.

President Biden released a statement expressing his condolences to the families affected by the shooting and praising the bravery of the responding officers. He also called for Congress to pass more stringent gun safety laws, stating, "How many more Americans must die before Republicans in Congress will act to protect our communities?"

It is worth noting that a new Kentucky law recently took effect, preventing state and local law enforcement from assisting with any federal prohibitions on guns, ammunition, or firearm accessories. This law was approved by Kentucky's Republican-majority legislature and passed into law when Governor Beshear, a Democrat, chose neither to sign nor veto it.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 146 mass shootings in the United States thus far this year.

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