A bank employee opened fire at his Kentucky workplace, killing four people and injured twelve more.
The Old National Bank building was the scene of a “active aggressor” around 8.30 am on Monday, according to the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD).
Police officers arrived on the scene in three minutes.
Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel, chief of the LMPD, claims that the suspect fired at the officers, who then returned fire.
Four people were killed at the scene, while another nine were injured and transported to University of Louisville Hospital, LMPD Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey said.
Three of of the injured victims are still hospitalized in critical condition, and three more are hospitalized in stable condition. Three have been treated and released.
The shooter was identified as Connor Sturgeon, 23-year-old employee at Old National Bank. Police believe he acted alone.
The victims were identified as Tommy Elliott, 63, Jim Tutt, 64, Josh Barrick, 40, and Juliana Farmer, 57.
According to police, Sturgeon wielding a long gun walked into an active board meeting at the bank and opened fire on bank employees.
‘Within 3 minutes of being dispatched, officers encountered the suspect still firing,’ Deputy Chief Humphrey said.
The shooter was killed when LMPD returned fire.
‘At least 2 officers were shot during this exchange of gunfire, one of whom is currently undergoing surgery at University of Louisville Hospital,’ Deputy Chief Humphrey said.
LMPD eventually identified the critically injured officer as Nicholas Wilt, a recent graduate of the city’s police academy.
‘Officer Nicholas Wilt, 26-years of age, just graduated from the police academy on March 31. I just swore him in,’ Chief Gwinn-Villaroel said.
The police chief said Wilt was struck by a bullet in his head, and underwent brain surgery after being rushed to the the hospital in critical condition.
‘There is no active danger known to the public at this time,’ the LMPD said, but Louisville Mayor Craig Greenburg asked residents to avoid the entire area around Slugger Field, the baseball stadium adjacent to the scene.
‘This is awful,’ Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said at a press conference on Monday morning.
‘I have a very close friend who didn’t make it today,’ the governor added. ‘My AG campaign was out of that building. I know virtually everyone in it. That’s my bank.’
Beshear thanked the LMPD and other first responders for their quick response. ‘I want to thank them, and all of their officers, for responding and doing their best to try to save some of my friends.’