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A gunman opened fire at a bank in downtown Louisville on Monday. Four dead, including at least two friends of Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear — injured eight others, officials said.
The shooter, believed to be a current or former employee of Old National Bank, also wounded two responding police officers.
The attacker died shortly after the shooting at 333 E. Main Street at 8:30 a.m. ET, said Louisville Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey.
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Responding officers exchanged gunfire with the shooter, police said. It was not immediately known if the shooter died from police shooting or from self-inflicted injuries.
Governor Andy Beshear held back tears and told reporters that two of the dead and one of the wounded were his friends.
“This sucks,” Beshear said, adding that the 2015 Attorney General campaign was based on that building. I have another close friend who didn’t and one who is in the hospital and I wish him well.”
Federal law enforcement sources briefed on the attack said the shooter was believed to be an employee and may have had mental health issues.
Two police officers were injured, one underwent emergency surgery and the other was not in a life-threatening condition.
Humphrey said the injured were taken to the University of Louisville Hospital, where two people, including a police officer, were in critical condition.
Their names were not announced immediately.
“We believe this was the lone gunman involved who had ties to the bank,” Humphrey said.
The Louisville Police Department said the officers’ quick response prevented further casualties.
“It’s clear from the officers’ reactions that they absolutely saved people’s lives,” Humphrey said. “This was a tragic event, but it was the officer’s heroic response that made sure no one was more seriously injured than what happened.”
Mayor Craig Greenberg also thanked the officers for their life-saving actions. rice field.
“We are united as a community and working to prevent this horrific gun violence from continuing within and within our state,” said Greenberg. “We have become a safer community. We have a stronger community because of law enforcement.”
The main street between North Floyd Street and North Preston Street in the center of Kentucky’s largest city was flooded with police cars, ambulances and fire trucks.
It was not immediately clear if the bank had hired security guards at the location where the shooting occurred on Monday.
“The safety of Old National Bank employees and everyone serving at our banking center locations is our top priority,” said Old National Bank CEO Jim Ryan. said in a statement.
Bank officials urged “continued thoughts and prayers for all those affected by this tragedy.”
The case unfolded in the shadow of Slugger Field, home of the Cincinnati Reds’ Triple-A affiliate, the Louisville Bats.
That team was out of town on Monday, and police apparently used the stadium as a base of operations where they interviewed witnesses.
And when police responded to Old National Bank, some officers had to desert for another shot at Jefferson Community and Technical College, just a mile away, officials said. .
The two attacks are not connected and school classes canceledofficials said.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and his wife Elaine Chao Thank you to the police for their quick and brave work on Monday.
“Elaine and I are devastated by the news out of Louisville this morning,” said a Kentucky Republican. said in a statement“We thank the LMPD and first responders for their bravery on the ground. Prayers are being sent to the victims and their families and to the City of Louisville as we await further information.”
President Joe Biden released a statement saying he and First Lady Jill Biden are praying for the victims.
“Once again, our nation mourns senseless gun violence…Too many Americans have sacrificed their lives to pay the price for inaction. .” Biden said“When will Republicans in Congress act to protect our communities?”
Monday’s shooting was the latest mass shooting in America, just two weeks after six people, including three young children, were shot at a private Christian school in Nashville.
There have been several other workplace shootings in the last five months alone.
- On January 23rd, seven farm workers were shot dead in Half Moon Bay, California.
- On November 22nd, six Walmart employees died in Chesapeake, Virginia.
- On November 20, four people died at a marijuana farm in Hennessy, Oklahoma.
This is a developing story. Please update here for the latest information.
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