Five Killed, Eight Injured in Shooting at Louisville Bank
Five people were killed and eight were injured in a shooting at a Louisville, Kentucky, bank on Monday. The victims, ranging in age from 40 to 64, were identified as Joshua Barrick, Juliana Farmer, Tommy Elliott, James Tutt and Deana Eckert.
The gunman was identified by police as 25-year-old bank employee Connor Sturgeon. Police said Sturgeon livestreamed the attack on Instagram before the video was later removed. Sturgeon was killed by police after an exchange of shots.
The incident began when Sturgeon wrote a note to his parents and a friend stating that he was going to open fire at the bank, according to a police source familiar with the investigation. The note is unclear if it was on paper or emailed, or if it was seen before or after the incident, the source said.
Louisville Metro officer Nickolas Wilt, 26, was shot in the head during the incident. He is currently in stable condition.
The shooting has drawn outrage from across the country, with many calling for stricter gun control laws. Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer has urged Congress to act quickly to pass “sensible gun safety legislation.”
The incident is yet another example of the wave of mass gun violence that has become a uniquely American phenomenon. According to data from the Gun Violence Archive, there have been at least 145 mass shootings in the United States this year, defined as an event in which at least four people are shot, excluding the shooter.
President Joe Biden condemned the shooting and called on Republicans in Congress to take action on gun laws. “Jill and I pray for the lives lost and affected by today’s shooting. Too many Americans are paying the price for inaction with their lives. When will Republicans in Congress act to protect our communities?” he said in a tweet.
The tragedy in Louisville serves as a stark reminder of the need for greater gun control measures in the United States. The time for meaningful action is long overdue, and it is the responsibility of lawmakers to find solutions that can help prevent future mass shootings. The families of the victims, as well as all Americans, deserve nothing less.
“We mourn the lives lost and those injured in this senseless tragedy, and we stand in solidarity with the Louisville community,” President Joe Biden said in a statement. “We must do more as a nation to protect our communities from gun violence.”