LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The gunman who opened fire at a downtown bank Monday, killing four people – including two who were close friends of the governor – was a 23-year-old employee of the bank, officials said.
Nine people were injured, officials said, and the suspect was also dead. Two police officers are among the injured.
“This is awful,” an emotional Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said at a morning news conference, adding that a third friend was hospitalized after the attack.
“Our bodies and our minds are not meant to go through these kinds of tragedies,” said Beshear, who fought back tears speaking to the media.
Minutes after receiving reports of shots fired at Old National Bank, officers arrived at the scene and exchanged fire with the shooter, Louisville Metro Police Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey said at a press conference.
Humphrey said it was unclear whether the shooter killed himself or was shot by police. He said the investigation is ongoing, but there is “no active danger known to public at this time.”
“This is a tragic event,” he said. “But it was … the heroic response of officers that made sure that no more people were more seriously injured than what happened.”
Nine people were hospitalized, University of Louisville Hospital spokeswoman Heather Fountaine said in a statement. Three people have been discharged and one of the officers was in critical condition, Fountaine said.
The incident is the 15th mass shooting this year in which four or more victims were killed, the largest total in a year’s first 100 days since 2009, according to a USA TODAY/Associated Press/Northeastern University database. Four were public shootings, and most of the others were family-related incidents. There have been more than 140 mass shootings in which four or more victims were injured, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
What happened during the shooting?
Officers responded to reports of shots fired at Old National Bank around 8:30 a.m. Monday, Humphrey said. Within three minutes of being dispatched, officers arrived on scene and encountered an attacker firing shots, Humphrey said.
Officers exchanged gunshots with the suspect, who died at the scene, he said. At least two officers were shot during this exchange, Humphrey said.
“We’re trying to confirm if that suspect died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound or was killed by officers at this time,” Humphrey said.
Terrance Sullivan, who lives near the building where the shooting occurred, said he was walking home from the gym around 8:30 a.m. when he saw police cars speed the wrong way down Main Street.
About 20 officers got out, rifles raised, and ran into the bank building, he said. Suddenly, he heard 10 to 15 shots fired and people screaming from within.
“The sound is what I keep thinking about. It was so loud,” Sullivan said. “People in my building who were inside could hear it. Being outside on the street as it happened – I’ve heard gunshots before, but not that many like that.”
Who was the shooter?
Police have not identified the shooter, but Humphrey described the suspect as a “lone gunman” with a connection to the bank.
“It appears the shooter was – I don’t know if it was an active employee or a former employee – but the shooter did have a connection to the location,” Humphrey said.
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE SUSPECT:Who is the Louisville shooter who killed four people at bank?
Who are the victims?
Humphrey said officials are working to identify all of the victims and provide services to their families. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said on Twitter a family assistance center for victims and family members has been set up at the Kentucky International Convention Center.
The shooting happened in a building on East Main Street that houses the Old National Bank, not far from the Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park. Beshear said he knows the building and its staff well.
“My AG campaign was out of that building,” he said. “I know virtually everyone in it, that’s my bank.”
President responds to latest act of gun violence
President Joe Biden lamented the latest shooting.
“Once again, our nation mourns after a senseless act of gun violence – Jill and I pray for the lives lost and impacted by today’s shooting,” Biden said on Twitter. “Too many Americans are paying for the price of inaction with their lives. When will Republicans in Congress act to protect our communities?”
Police presence will remain at Old National Bank
A large police presence is at the scene and Humphrey said officers were expected to remain there “into the night.” The ATF and FBI Louisville said on Twitter special agents also responded to the scene.
Members of the Old National Bank executive team, including CEO Jim Ryan, traveled to Louisville as well, the bank said in a statement on Facebook.
“The safety of Old National Bank employees and everyone we serve in our banking center locations is paramount,” Ryan said. “As we await more details, we are deploying employee assistance support and keeping everyone affected by this tragedy in our thoughts and prayers.”
Greenberg thanked the city’s first responders and said the community will continue to come together “to work to prevent these horrific acts of gun violence are continuing here and around the state.”
Contributing: Grace Hauck, USA TODAY; The Associated Press
Contact Breaking News Reporter N’dea Yancey-Bragg at nyanceybra@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @NdeaYanceyBragg
