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re: US MASS Shootings: Deadly Mass Shootings in Multiple States-Alabama & Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky: Gunman Kills Four Injures 9 in Bank Shooting
--- 146 Mass Shootings So Far in 2023
Connor Sturgeon: Who is The Suspected Gunman in The Louisville Bank Shooting?
Four people were killed when an employee opened fire in a bank in Louisville, Kentucky, and livestreamed the attack on Instagram, police say.
BBC 11 APR 2023
The victims were aged between 40 and 64. Among nine others injured was a rookie police officer who graduated into the force two weeks ago.
The officer was struck in the head and is still critical after brain surgery.
Police responded within three minutes, and fatally shot the attacker in an exchange of gunfire.
The shooting took place at the Old National Bank in the city centre at about 08:30 local time (12:30 GMT).
Witness Caleb Goodlett told local media that his wife, an employee at the bank, had locked herself inside the vault when the attack began.
Other witnesses described seeing the shootout between police officers and the lone attacker.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said an "incredible friend" of his, Tommy Elliot, a senior vice-president at the bank, was among the victims.
"Tommy Elliott helped me build my law career, helped me become governor, gave me advice on being a good dad," said Mr Beshear.
The victims have all been identified:
Thomas Elliot, 63
James Tutt, 64
Joshua Barrick, 40
Julianna Farmer, 45
Jim Ryan, CEO of the Old National Bank, said the safety of employees and customers was "paramount", adding that bank officials were "keeping everyone affected by this tragedy in our thoughts and prayers".
The officer who was struck in the head was identified as Louisville Metro police officer Nickolas Wilt, 26.
Officer Wilt (centre) was sworn in by the mayor and police chief two weeks ago
City Councilman Anthony Piagentini told the Courier-Journal newspaper that Mr Wilt graduated from the academy on 31 March, and that his brother is enrolled in the police academy.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg called the attack "an evil act of targeted violence".
Two survivors told WHAS-TV that the gunshots first broke out in a ground-floor conference room where employees had gathered.
"Whoever was next to me got shot - blood is on me from it," said one man, pointing to his shirt.
The suspect was named as 23-year-old Connor Sturgeon, who police said used a rifle during the incident and was broadcasting the shooting online.
"That's tragic to know that that incident was out there and captured," said Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel.
Instagram's owner Meta said it had "quickly removed the livestream of this tragic incident this morning".
The attacker is described in an online profile as being a syndications associate and portfolio banker at Old National Bank. He had joined the company as a full-time employee last year after spending three summers as an intern there.
Officials say he had no previous contact with law enforcement.
The shooting took place just two weeks after a violent attack on a Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee - 160 miles (260km) - south of Louisville - that killed six people.
Data compiled by the Gun Violence Archive shows that there have been at least 146 mass shootings - defined as those in which at least four people were shot - so far in 2023, including at least 15 since April began.
Also on Monday morning, Louisville Police responded to a second shooting outside the Jefferson Community & Technical College, less than two miles away from the incident at Old National Bank.
At least one person was killed and one wounded, according to police. The two shootings are unrelated, LMPD Maj Russell Miller said.
President Joe Biden tweeted on Monday: "Too many Americans are paying for the price of inaction with their lives.
"When will Republicans in Congress act to protect our communities?"
Democrats and Mr Biden have long pushed for Congress to push stricter gun safety legislation. These efforts face staunch opposition from most Republican lawmakers, who often represent constituents and communities that support expanded gun rights.
Kentucky is one of 26 states that allow most adults over 21 years old to purchase and carry a firearm without a license.
MORE
Mother of 6-Year-Old Who Shot Virginia Teacher is Criminally Charged
The mother of a six-year-old child who shot his teacher at a school in Virginia has been criminally charged.
Mother of 6-year-old Virginia student who shot teacher charged with neglect
BBC 11 APR 2023
Deja Taylor, 25, has been indicted by a grand jury with a felony child neglect charge and a misdemeanour charge.
Police had previously said that the gun used in the shooting belonged to Ms Taylor.
The child brought the gun in his backpack to Richneck Elementary School in the city of Newport News on 6 January.
He then shot Abigail Zwerner, a 25-year-old teacher, in the hand and chest during a lesson. Ms Zwerner was seriously injured but survived the shooting.
On Monday, prosecutors said in a statement that Ms Taylor had been charged with one count of felony child neglect and one count of misdemeanour for "recklessly leaving a loaded firearm so as to endanger a child."
They added the charges stemmed from a "thorough investigation" into the shooting.
"Every criminal case is unique in its facts, and these facts support these charges, but our investigation into the shooting continues," said Howard Gwynn, the attorney for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The family had previously said in a statement after the shooting that the gun was secured.
James Elleson, a lawyer for the family, told the Associated Press that the gun had been in the mother's closet on a top shelf and that it had had a trigger lock.
Authorities said other charges could be announced as a special grand jury looked into security issues at the school that may have allowed the shooting to take place.
"If the Special Grand Jury determines that additional persons are criminally responsible under the law, it can return additional indictments," Mr Gwynn said.
The teacher has accused school officials of ignoring multiple warnings that the boy had a gun the day of the shooting, and has sued them for gross negligence.
School officials had previously confirmed that the child's backpack had been searched by a staff member at the school on the day of the shooting, after it had been reported that the student may have a weapon.
Prosecutors have previously said that the child was unlikely to be charged in connection to the shooting.
Mr Gwynn told NBC News in March that the "prospect that a six-year-old can stand trial is problematic" because the child is too young to understand the legal system.
"Once we analyse all the facts, we will charge any person or persons that we believe we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt committed a crime," Mr Gwynn said at the time.
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