Tragedy struck in downtown Louisville on Monday as a shooting at the Old National Bank left at least four people dead and eight others injured, according to local authorities. The suspected shooter was also found dead at the scene.
This marks the 15th mass killing in the United States this year, following a deadly incident at a Christian elementary school in Nashville just two weeks prior, which claimed six lives.
As gunshots continued to echo inside the bank, Louisville Metro Police Department officers arrived at the scene and engaged in a firefight with the suspect. Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey, speaking at a press conference, could not confirm whether the shooter died by suicide or was killed by police.
Video from a witness shows a chaotic scene at Old National Bank in downtown Louisville.
“Active shooter at the bank” an officer screams as multiple gunshots are fired on the background.
The details emerging from this are very grim. pic.twitter.com/Ax3Gc5imNg
— Dalton Godbey (@DaltonTVNews) April 10, 2023
Humphrey stated that the suspected lone gunman had ties to the bank, possibly as a former employee, but further investigation is needed to establish the nature of the connection. At least eight victims, including two police officers, were receiving treatment at a nearby hospital, with one officer in critical condition.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed grief over the loss of close friends in the shooting, which occurred on East Main Street, close to the Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park. The incident marks the second time Beshear has been personally affected by a mass tragedy since becoming governor. In late 2021, tornadoes wreaked havoc in Dawson Springs, the hometown of Beshear’s father and former two-term Kentucky Governor, Steve Beshear.
Deputy Chief Humphrey commended the brave response of the officers at the scene, stating that their actions had undoubtedly prevented further loss of life. According to a mass killings database maintained by The Associated Press, USA Today, and Northeastern University, this year has seen the highest number of mass shootings within the first 100 days of a calendar year since 2009, when 16 incidents had occurred by April 10th. The years with the highest number of mass killings on record are 2019 and 2022, with 45 and 42 incidents respectively.
