Louisville, Kentucky: Gunman kills four in bank shooting
Louisville, Kentucky: Gunman kills four in bank shooting
(about 1 hour later)
Watch: Deadly gun battle erupts in downtown Louisville
Watch: Deadly gun battle erupts in downtown Louisville
Watch: Deadly gun battle erupts in downtown Louisville
Watch: Deadly gun battle erupts in downtown Louisville
Police in Louisville, Kentucky, have confirmed that a gunman and at least four people have died in a shooting at a bank in the city.
Four people were killed and nine others were injured after an employee opened fire in a bank in Louisville, Kentucky, police say.
An additional eight people have been taken to local hospitals, including two police officers.
The victims were between 40 and 64-years-old, while one of those injured was a rookie police officer who graduated into the force two weeks ago.
The suspect died after an exchange of gunfire with police officers at Old National Bank on Monday morning.
The officer was struck in the head and is still critical after brain surgery.
The man is believed to be a former employee of the bank, police said.
Police responded within three minutes, and shot the attacker - who also died - in an exchange of gunfire.
According to Louisville Police, officers were first alerted to an active shooter situation at about 08:30 local time (15:40 BST) and arrived within three minutes.
The shooting took place at the Old National Bank in the city's downtown area at about 08:30 local time (15:40 BST).
At the scene, they encountered the suspect "almost immediately" and were involved in an exchange of gunfire. It remains unclear whether the suspect was shot and killed by the officers or died at his own hand, according to Deputy Police Chief Paul Humphrey.
Witness Caleb Goodlett told local media that his wife, an employee in the bank, locked herself inside the vault when the attack began.
FOLLOW LIVE: Updates after Louisville shooting
Other witnesses described seeing the shootout between police officers and the lone attacker.
How many US mass shootings have there been in 2023?
Kentucky's governor Andy Beshear said close friends were killed in the attack. "This is awful. I have a very close friend that didn't make it today, and I have another close friend that didn't either," Mr Beshear said in an emotional news conference earlier.
Two officers were wounded in the gun battle, one of whom is undergoing surgery and is in critical condition.
He added that another friend was injured "that I hope is going to make it through".
Mr Humphrey said that the actions of the officers "absolutely saved people's lives".
Jim Ryan, CEO of the Old National Bank, saying that the safety of employees and customer is "paramount", adding that bank officials are "keeping everyone affected by this tragedy in our thoughts and prayers".
The incident took place in Louisville's Old National Bank in the city's downtown area. The location is close to the Louisville Slugger Field baseball stadium and several blocks from the Kentucky International Convention Centre and Muhammad Ali Centre.
The victims were identified by as:
The public has been asked to stay out of the area while the investigation continues.
Tommy Elliot, 63
News footage from the scene shows a heavy police presence, with damaged glass and discarded medical equipment at one location.
Jim Tutt, 64
Kentucky governor: 'I have a very close friend who didn't make it today'
Josh Barret, 40
Kentucky governor: 'I have a very close friend who didn't make it today'
Julianna Farmer, 57
Speaking at a news conference, an emotional Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said he knew several of the victims. His campaign is based in the same building and he is a customer of Old National Bank.
The officer who was struck in the head was identified as Louisville Metro Police Officer Nickolas Wilt.
"This is awful. I have a very close friend that didn't make it today, and I have another close friend that didn't either," Mr Beshear said. He added that another friend was injured "that I hope is going to make it through".
The city's mayor, Craig Greenberg, also arrived in the area shortly after the shooting.
"We will come together as a community to work to prevent these horrific acts of gun violence from continuing here and around the state," Greenberg said at the news conference.
Witnesses have begun recounting their experiences to local media.
"I was at the stoplight, and the first thing that I saw - there was a guy across the street at the intersection and he was lying down at the entrance to a hotel," an eyewitness told local Fox affiliate WDRB.
Another witness, Caleb Goodlett, told local CBS affiliate WLKY-TV that he received a call from his wife who works at the bank. She told him that she was inside the vault and that there was a gunman inside the bank.
When he called 911, Mr Goodlett was told that police were already responding.
"Once again, our nation mourns after a senseless act of gun violence - Jill and I pray for the lives lost and impacted by today's shooting," President Joe Biden said in a tweet on Monday.
"Too many Americans are paying for the price of inaction with their lives," he continued. "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.
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 (3.2km) away from the incident at Old National Bank.
At least one person was killed and one wounded, according to police. The suspects in that incident fled.
Mr Humphrey said that the police force has enough resources available to respond to and investigate both shootings.
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