Gunman In Louisville Shooting Believed To Be Former Bank Employee

At this time, a former bank employee is suspected to be the gunman behind the fatal shooting that resulted in multiple casualties in Louisville, Kentucky.

The shooting occurred at the Old National Bank in downtown Louisville around 8:30 in the morning on Monday, April 10. According to the Independent, law enforcement officials exchanged gunfire with the shooter, who reportedly died on the scene.

At this time, it is unclear if the shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound or if they died by officer fire. The Louisville Metro Police Department has confirmed that at least four individuals are dead. Eight individuals, including a police officer, were hospitalized with injuries.

The gunman, nor the individuals killed or injured in the shooting, have been released to the public at this time. However, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said at a press conference today that he had “a very close friend that didn’t make it today” and described the situation as “awful.”

Although the area is “no longer a danger to the public,” as per the LMPD, they are still “Asking the public to avoid the area.” Lousiville, Kentucky, and "Thoughts and Prayers" started trending on Twitter shortly after the news of the shooting broke.

Beshear took to Twitter to encourage prayers, tweeting, "LMPD has confirmed a shooting situation in downtown Louisville with multiple casualties. I am headed there now. Please pray for all of the families impacted and for the city of Louisville."

The Old National Bank released a statement on Facebook, saying, “In response to the tragic shooting this morning at our Preston Pointe location in downtown Louisville, members of the Old National Bank executive team, including CEO Jim Ryan, are onsite in Louisville.”

“While there have been reports of multiple casualties by Louisville Metro Police, we have been assured that the situation is no longer active. Law enforcement authorities continue to assess the scene,” they contained.

"The safety of Old National Bank employees and everyone we serve in our banking center locations is paramount,” Old National CEO Jim Ryan said in a statement. “As we await more details, we are deploying employee assistance support and keeping everyone affected by this tragedy in our thoughts and prayers."

According to Senior White House Editorial Producer, Pat Ward, President Joe Biden has been briefed about the shooting in Louisville, Kentucky. According to the New York Times, as of mid-April, the Gun Violence Archive has counted at least 145 mass shootings in the United States this year.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg has also asked for prayers for those "fighting for their lives" in a press conference on Monday. Greenberg asked for the world to pray for those in the hospital who were “injured [and] fighting for their lives as a result of another act of gun violence.”

Greenberg also thanked the “brave and heroic” first responders for their quick response, saying, “Without a doubt their actions saved lives." He went on to say, “Notwithstanding tragedies like today, when multiple people are killed by gun violence ... our community will continue to come together."

According to the latest details, the shooter is believed to have used an AR-15-style rifle in the attack, a federal law enforcement official told CNN. Police responded to the call of an active shooter “within three minutes” although the cause of the death of the gunman is still being investigated.

Another press conference will be held this afternoon with more details.

UPDATE: The victims include Joshua Barrick (40), Thomas Elliot (63), Juliana Farmer (45), James Tutt (64), and Deana Eckert (57).

Law enforcement officials have identified the gunman as 23-year-old Connor Sturgeon, who was a current or former employee of the bank where the shooting took place. No motive for the shooting has been identified at this time.