A gunman opened fire at a bank in downtown Louisville on Monday, in a mass shooting that left four dead and wounded eight others — including two officers responding to the scene. Louisville Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey said the shooter, described as a current or former employee of Old National Bank, was also killed not long after the 8:30 a.m. ET shooting unfolded at 333 E. Main St.
Deputy Chief Humphrey added that emergency personnel transported eight people to the University of Louisville Hospital, where one of the injured officers remained in critical condition from his injuries. He said the suspect, who has not been identified, “was still firing gunshots” when officers arrived on the scene when they allegedly started taking gunfire from the suspect. Said Humphrey: “Ultimately that suspect did die at the scene. We’re trying to confirm if that suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound or was killed by an officer … We are currently working to identify all of the victim. The investigation is ongoing. This will pretty much take into the night. There is no active threat. We believe this was a lone gunman that did have a connection with the bank.”
Humphrey said officers arrived at about 8:30 a.m., EDT, within three minutes of the initial call, and he believes that response saved more people from being injured or killed: “It is clear from the officers’ response that they absolutely saved people’s lives. It was a heroic response of officers that made sure that no more people were more seriously injured than what happened.”
Gov. Andy Beshear fought back tears and told reporters that two of the dead and one of the wounded were friends of his. Said Beshear: “This is awful. I have a very close friend who didn’t make it today, and I have another close friend who didn’t either, and one who is at the hospital that I hope is going to make it through.” Beshear later said on Twitter: “Today is a tragedy. Louisville and the entire commonwealth are mourning and we call on everyone to share the love, support and compassion this community desperately needs right now … A senseless act took the lives of our fellow Kentuckians, including friends of mine. What these families are experiencing is unimaginable. They need us to wrap our arms around them and to love them with all our hearts … Thank you to the heroic members of the LMPD and all of our first responders who undoubtedly saved lives while putting their own at risk. We are forever grateful. “
Old National Bank said in a statement posted to social media on Monday that members of its executive team, including CEO Jim Ryan had arrived at the site in response to the shooting: “The safety of Old National Bank employees and everyone we serve in our banking center locations is paramount. As we await more details, we are deploying employee assistance support and keeping everyone affected by this tragedy in our thoughts and prayers.”
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