5 dead, 8 hurt including 3 police officers in downtown Louisville shooting: LMPD

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WTVQ) — Louisville Metro police said there were “multiple casualties” after responding to a mass shooting at a downtown Louisville bank Monday morning.

Six people died, including the shooter, and eight people were injured, three of whom were police officers.

The shooting occurred at the Old National Bank on East Main Street.

 

 

WEDNESDAY – 8/30/23

In our final update: Wilt will be honored as the 2023 Kentuckian of the Year.

The award ceremony will be held on Nov. 4 in the Muhammad Ali Center.

The Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards were created in 2013 as a way to publicly recognize and celebrate the greatness of people from around the world.

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MONDAY – 8/14/23

“Since Nick has been home for two weeks now he has been doing well and is enjoying being at home. We still have a lot work to do but he is getting there. Nick continues working hard in outpatient therapy, he has goals and he is working to achieve them.

In reference to the previous paragraph I want to say I am so grateful to be typing ‘Nick’ and ‘Home’ I am saying that because back in April and May we didn’t know what the outcome was going to be but thankfully by the grace of God, Nick is a miracle and works to improve every day,” his family wrote on Facebook in an update two weeks after he was finally discharged from the hospital.

Wilt’s rehab doctor said Wilt’s “will to survive and recover and his family’s deep love and dedication have made this homecoming possible.”

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FRIDAY – 7/28/23

Almost one month to the day of his last surgery, Wilt has been released from the hospital and is going home.

He spent three and a half months in the hospital since April 10.

Wilt’s twin brother Zach said he heard from the families of the two victims of the Old National Bank shooting and they congratulated his family and said they continue to think about him.

Zach added Nick has been “asking for a steak dinner for a long time and they are excited to finally provide that for him. He’s ready to get back to being an active 26-year-old like he was before,” WHAS said.

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TUESDAY – 6/27/23

Wilt recently underwent another surgery to “aid in his healing and recovery.” According to his family, the surgery went smoothly, with a few post-surgery complications and one being concerning, however, he continues to persevere and move forward.

“Remarkably, within 10 hours of a significant scare, he sat up in a chair, smiling alongside his family. Officer Wilt’s resilience and commitment to returning to his everyday life are remarkable. He continues to train at Frazier to rebuild his strength,” his family told LMPF.

Wilt’s family says they’re still amazed by the support they’ve received and are grateful “for every one of you.”

On June 13, his family said Wilt was able to speak in two to five-word phrases and is even making jokes — a “promising sign.”

He had demonstrated “impressive endurance” by tolerating a treadmill speed of up to 2 mph for nearly seven minutes.

And while he required assistance from staff and a ceiling harness, he achieved a significant milestone of supporting his own weight while standing for nearly 25 minutes.

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FRIDAY – 5/26/23

Wilt is showing remarkable progress and is now able to respond more consistently to yes or no questions and has started walking again with a harness.

Although his speech remains limited to one to two words at a time, he’s “making daily strides,” according to his family.

Wilt can now even brush his teeth with limited assistance.

“The support and prayers received have been crucial in Officer Wilt’s journey to recovery. We’ve displayed most of the pictures and cards on his wall; this is a constant reminder of the encouragement and motivation he receives from those around him,” his family told LMPD.

Wilt’s “fighting spirit” is evident and he “still isn’t backing down.”

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WEDNESDAY – 5/17/23

Wilt is showing “signs of improvement” during his first week at Frazier Rehab.

“The therapist, nurses and doctors attending to Officer Wilt are impressed with his progress thus far. Despite the challenges he faces on his long road to recovery, his dedication and hard work have yielded noticeable improvements. In fact, Officer Wilt’s wakefulness has significantly increased since beginning his rehabilitation. This is the most awake he has been since his injury occurred,” his family told LMPF.

Wilt’s “overall condition” is on the right track though a few areas still need monitoring closely.

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WEDNESDAY – 5/10/23

Wilt was transferred today to begin the start of his long neurological rehabilitation process.

“Obviously, we are very excited we have gotten to this point, but this will be another battle. Nick will keep fighting while we continue to keep praying. #LMPD 💙” the department said on social media.

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MONDAY – 5/8/23

Wilt has been “improving steadily” and is officially off a ventilator.

“We are pleased to share an update on Officer Nickolas Wilt, who was shot 4 weeks ago today when responding to the Old National Bank shooting. Officer Wilt’s condition has been improving steadily all week, and he remains on the correct path to recovery,” his family told LMPD.

Wilt is also off “all other life-sustaining equipment” and has shown neurological improvements.

He still has pneumonia and other lung complications, according to his family, but his progress is “remarkable, especially when compared to where he was just two weeks ago.”

Doctors are now discussing the possibility of Wilt going into Neurological Rehab within the next week.

“During a procedure today, it’s been determined the bullet is not a threat to the brain or its blood vessels. According to the doctor, the bullet is in a crucial area but for this type of injury the damage is minimal,” his family said.

Wilt’s family thanked LMPD and the public for their “tremendous amount of support and well wishes during this difficult time” and signed off the update saying #WiltWarriors.

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TUESDAY – 5/2/23

5 p.m.

Wilt “had a good night” at UofL Jewish Hospital Monday after being completely off the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for 48 hours. According to the Mayo Clinic, an ECMO is used in critical care situations, when your heart and lungs need help so that you can heal.

He was transferred back to UofL Hospital to be monitored by their trauma team.

Wilt is still fighting pneumonia, but his family says it’s becoming easier to manage.

“His breathing sats are pretty consistent for the last 24 hours after assistance from the ECMO was removed. He is still listed in critical but stable condition,” his family told the Louisville Metro Police Foundation.

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FRIDAY – 4/28/23

6:10 p.m.

Nickolas Wilt’s twin brother Zack says Nick is “doing better each day” and the medical team is making progress in getting him off the machines and medical equipment — and the next 24 to 36 hours “are critical” in determining when he will be off the ventilator.

“He’s even able to open his eyes and look at you, which is a huge step forward,” Zack added. “He’s fighting hard and we couldn’t be more proud of him.”

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TUESDAY – 4/25/23

3:51 p.m.

Old National Bank has announced $1 million in donations to the local community.

Those donations include:

• $600,000: “Love for Louisville Old National Survivors Fund” established by Community Foundation of Louisville
• $150,000: Louisville Metro Police Foundation (supporting Officer Nickolas Wilt)
• $150,000: University of Louisville Trauma Center
• $100,000: American Red Cross

8:41 a.m.

A large banner placed on the side of a building in Louisville overlooking I-64 honors Wilt, who is still in recovery in the hospital.

The “Wilt’s Louisville” banner went up on a building on Bluegrass Parkway facing the interstate on Monday.

“Everyone needs to know this guy’s name,” building owner Troy LeBlanc said.

LeBlanc donated the canvas and a local print shop created the portrait for free.

He said he plans to keep the banner up as long as possible.

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FRIDAY – 4/21/23

8:45 a.m.

The Louisville Metro police officer who was shot in the head by a gunman at Old National Bank last week was transferred to another hospital after being diagnosed with pneumonia.

Officer Nickolas Wilt, who is still in critical but stable condition, has been hospitalized since the shooting on April 10. Three days ago, Wilt was diagnosed with pneumonia. Last night, the decision was made to transfer Wilt to UofL Health Jewish Hospital so specialists can continue treating his pneumonia.

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THURSDAY – 4/20/23

1:30 p.m.

The Old National Bank gunman’s family is asking lawmakers to ensure the gun used in the mass shooting last week won’t be sold at an auction and used again.

The family of the 25-year-old gunman says they want the AR-15 he used to kill five people and injure eight others to be destroyed.

“The Sturgeon family was aghast to learn Kentucky law mandated the assault rifle used in the horrific event last week be sold to the highest bidder at public auction. The family, in conjunction with the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, [Firearms and Explosives] (ATF), is working vigorously to ensure the assault rifle is legally destroyed and the first step in this process occurred Monday, when ATF took possession of the assault rifle. We genuinely appreciate the assistance of both LMPD and ATF in this regard.

WEDNESDAY – 4/19/23

Nickolas Wilt has been diagnosed with pneumonia, according to his twin brother Zack.

Pneumonia is a commonly diagnosed illness after being on a ventilator, Zack told the Louisville Metro Police Foundation.

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MONDAY – 4/17/23

12:42 p.m.

Another patient has been discharged from UofL Health, meaning just one remains: Officer Nickolas Wilt.

Wilt, in the same condition as UofL’s last update two hours ago, remains critical.

A recap:

• Nine patients in total were brought to UofL Health after the mass shooting, including three LMPD officers
  • One patient remains – Officer Wilt
  • Seven patients were treated and released
  • One passed away

10:41 a.m.

Officer Nickolas Wilt is still in critical but stable condition, Louisville Metro police said in an update.

“The family sees and feels the love. Thank you!” LMPD said.

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FRIDAY – 4/14/23

9:32 a.m.

The 25-year-old man who killed five people and wounded eight more at Old National Bank in Louisville will have his brain tested for CTE.

Pete Palmer, the family’s spokesperson, said the shooter’s brain will be tested for chronic traumatic encephalopathy to see whether that could have been a contributing factor that caused the mass shooting.

The shooter had three “concussions of significance” while playing sports in school — two in middle school for football and one in early high school for basketball — all of which he had sought medical treatment for, according to Palmer.

The results will take “several weeks,” Palmer added.

CTE is described as brain degeneration likely caused by repeated head traumas and can only be diagnosed at autopsy by studying sections of the brain, according to the Mayo Clinic.

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THURSDAY – 4/13/23

1:16 p.m.

Funeral arrangements have been announced for the victims of the Old National Bank shooting in Louisville.

• Thomas “Tommy” Elliott, 63

• Judy Dean “Deana” Hurst Eckert, 57

• Joshua Barrick, 40

• Jim Tutt, 64

• Juliana Farmer, 45

11:59 a.m.

As of noon, two people remain in the hospital.

Officer Wilt is still in critical condition, but is “slowly improving,” according to UofL Health.

Another patient is in stable/fair condition.

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WEDNESDAY – 4/12/23

3:04 p.m.

Louisville Metro police released twelve 911 calls from Monday’s mass shooting at Old National Bank, including an eerie three-minute call from the shooter’s mother.

“911 operator [inaudible] where is your emergency?”

“Yes, I think my son [redacted] might have a gun and headed to the Old National at uh- on Main Street here in Louisville,” the gunman’s mother told the dispatcher.

Parts of the three-minute call were redacted to protect the privacy of those involved and to protect the “integrity of any ongoing investigation,” LMPD said.

The dispatcher questioned whether the mother said Old National Bank on Main Street, to which she replied, “Yes, and I think- I’m getting details secondhand, oh my Lord.”

His mother was describing a conversation she had with her son’s roommate, who apparently read her a note left by her son.

That note, and the contents of it, has not been made public.

“I- I don’t know. I’m getting this information from his roommate. He apparently left a note. He- I don’t know what to do. I need your help. He’s never hurt anyone, he’s a really good kid,” his mother pleaded.

“OK, and you said he’s headed to the Old National Bank. Did he say what he’s going to do there?”

“I- I don’t know. I don’t know anything [inaudible] we don’t even own guns. I don’t know where he would’ve gotten a gun,” she replied.

The shooter’s mother clarified again that the information was coming from his roommate.

The dispatcher asked what her son’s name was, and she replied, adding that he was an employee at the bank.

His mother reiterated that she doesn’t know where he would have gotten a gun.

“Please, he’s not violent, he’s never done anything, he’s- he’s–”

“And you don’t believe he owns guns?” the dispatcher questioned.

“I know he doesn’t own any guns,” his mother said.

Nearing the end of the call, his mother said she was rushing to her car. The dispatcher warned her to not go to the bank several times, as it was a “dangerous” situation. She also shared that other calls have come in about a “situation going on down there right now.” You could hear the confusion in the mother’s voice.

“You’ve had calls from other people so he’s already there?” the mother asked.

The dispatcher confirmed, and the call ended shortly after.

Five other witnesses called 911 that day, from inside and outside of the bank. The times of those 911 calls range from approximately 11 minutes to one minute in length.

The shooter killed five people and wounded eight others around 8:30 a.m.

To listen to the 911 calls and the emergency responder radio transmissions, head here: https://youtu.be/UYrtff7QgNs

To listen to the second set of 911 calls and the emergency responder radio transmissions, head here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WhBSSMlu4s&feature=youtu.be

1:35 p.m.

Places of worship across Louisville are holding a “Night of Resilience” in honor of the victims of Monday’s mass shooting at Old National Bank.

Seventeen places of worship are participating in the Night of Resilience for prayer and remembrance following a vigil at the Muhammad Ali Center.

The Night of Resilience will be held at the following places from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday:

• The Greater Faith Church of Deliverance – 2105 Buechel Bank Road
• Spirit Filled New Life Church Ministries – 4936 Hazelwood Avenue
• The Father Word & Holy Ghost, Church of God in Christ – 10400 Old Preston Highway
• King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church – 1620 Anderson Street
• Beargrass Missionary Baptist Church – 2300 Payne Street
• Greater Israel Missionary Baptist Church – 1509 Magazine Street
• Drepung Gomang Center for Engaging Compassion – 411 North Hubbards Lane
• Temple of Shalom – 4615 Lowe Road
• New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church – 2973 Wilson Avenue
• Greater Galilee Missionary Baptist – 3918 West Broadway
• Lampkins Chapel C.M.E. Church – 2738 Algonquin Parkway
• Remnant Church of God in Christ – 3309 East Indian Trail
• Moore Temple Church of God in Christ – 2315 West Broadway
• Baha’is Center of Louisville – 3808 Bardstown Road
• New Covenant Baptist Church – 1190 South 40th Street
• Forset Baptist Church – 4500 Petersburg Road
• Highland Presbyterian Church – 1011 Cherokee Road

Professional counseling will be available as well.

11:06 a.m.

The rookie Louisville Metro police officer who was shot in the head while responding to Old National Bank on Monday is “slowly improving.”

Nickolas Wilt, who was only on his fourth shift with the police department when he attempted to take down the mass shooter at the bank, was shot in the head and has been in critical condition since, undergoing brain surgery on his first day in the hospital.

City authorities told ABC News Wilt is the only victim still listed as such at UofL Health.

The 26-year-old has been praised as a hero and as someone who “stopped the threat so other lives could be saved,” by Interim Police Chief Jackie Gwinn-Villaroel.

Wilt is also a firefighter in La Grange and an EMT in Oldham County.

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TUESDAY – 4/11/23

10 p.m.

The Louisville mass shooter’s family released a statement Tuesday night, saying in part that “no words” can express the “sorrow, anguish and horror” their son inflicted on Old National Bank employees and their families.

Below is the full statement:

“No words can express our sorrow, anguish, and horror at the unthinkable harm our son Connor inflicted on innocent people, their families, and the entire Louisville community. We mourn their loss and that of our son, Connor. We pray for everyone traumatized by his senseless acts of violence and are deeply grateful for the bravery and heroism of the Louisville Metropolitan Police Department.

While Connor, like many of his contemporaries, had mental health challenges which we, as a family, were actively addressing, there were never any warning signs or indications he was capable of this shocking act. While we have many unanswered questions, we will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement officials and do all we can to aid everyone in understanding why and how this happened.”

The 25-year-old shooter legally purchased an AR-15 from a Louisville dealership on April 4.

5:35 p.m.

Louisville Metro police released bodycam-worn video from officers at Old National Bank after an active shooter killed five people and wounded eight others.

Louisville police said the shooting began around 8:30 a.m. on Monday. Officers were on the scene “in minutes.”

The gunman, who was an employee at the bank, entered from the front of the building. The shooting took place on the first floor, according to Louisville police.

The 9-minute body camera video released is from the officers who are credited with taking the shooter down.

Officers arrived at the scene at 8:38 a.m. and within four minutes, officers were being shot at.

Officers began shooting at 8:44 and the shooter was killed by 8:45.

WARNING: The following clip contains graphic imagery and video. Viewer discretion is advised.

To watch the video:

11:30 a.m.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg pleaded for help from the state’s legislature and Congress to do “more than we’ve already done” during a Tuesday morning press briefing.

Greenberg, a shooting survivor, touched on the 40 lives lost in Louisville so far this year to gun violence.

He said while long-term action is being taken, the city needs help from lawmakers in both Frankfort and Washington, D.C. for quicker action.

He’s requesting the following moving forward:

• For local decisions to be made to address local issues
  • Greenberg is asking for Louisville to have the autonomy to deal with its “unique gun violence epidemic” compared to other Kentucky cities. He’s asking for the city to be able to enact its own policies
• For guns used in killings to be destroyed
  • Greenberg says in current Kentucky law, guns like the one used in yesterday’s mass shooting will be auctioned off and “back on the streets”
  • He’s asking for the ability to destroy guns used in killings

“This isn’t about partisan politics, this is about life and death,” he said, before finishing with a warning:

“You may think this may never happen to you…the sad truth is that no one in our city no one in our state no one in our country has that luxury anymore.”

Louisville Red Cross CEO Steve Cunanan is asking for type O- blood donations. Type O- is the universal blood, meaning it’s what hospitals reach for in instances like shootings when they aren’t able to determine a person’s blood type fast enough.

Red Cross will be ready to give additional blood to UofL Health if needed, but donations are being requested.

To help, visit https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html.

As of 11 a.m., four people remain in the hospital, including rookie police officer Nickolas Wilt who was one of the first at the scene of the shooting.

Louisville police said body cam footage of the shooting will be released this afternoon.

10 a.m.

Five people are still hospitalized, according to an early Tuesday update from UofL Health.

• 1 patient is in critical condition
• 4 patients are stable and in fair condition

To break down the total hospitalizations:

• 9 patients were hospitalized in total
• 3 of those hospitalizations were LMPD officers
• 5 of those patients sustained gunshot wounds
• 3 of those patients were released
• 1 of those patients died Monday night

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jason Smith will join a press briefing alongside LMPD and Mayor Greenberg today at 11:30.

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MONDAY – 4/10/23

9 p.m.

At 9 p.m., LMPD says a fifth victim died.

Deana Eckert passed away after surgery at the hospital. She was 57.

3 p.m.

Louisville Metro police identified the five victims in the mass shooting. The following were killed Monday morning:

• Tommy Elliott, 63
• Jim Tutt, 64
• Josh Barrick, 40
• Juliana Farmer, 45
• Deana Eckert, 57

Three people are still hospitalized in critical condition, as well as 3 in non-critical condition. Three others have been treated and released.

One of the three in critical condition includes LMPD officer Nickolas Wilt, a 26-year-old who just graduated academy on March 31. A bullet struck his head, and he went into brain surgery immediately. LMPD says Wilt is in critical but thankfully stable condition.

Interim Chief of Police Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel thanked LMPD officers for showing up “even when you feel like you aren’t appreciated,” adding that “their resiliency showed today, their professionalism showed today.”

A date of a community-wide vigil will be announced at a later date, Mayor Craig Greenburg said.

The shooter, whom ABC 36 will only name in this story once, was identified as 25-year-old Connor Sturgeon, an employee at the bank. Chief Gwinn-Villaroel said he was live-streaming on Instagram as the shooting occurred. He was shot and killed by police.

2:22 p.m.

LMPD and the ATF are searching a home in the Camp Taylor neighborhood, according to WHAS.

An ATF spokesperson said the search is in connection to the mass shooting.

1:19 p.m.

The University of Louisville Hospital helped a total of nine people hurt in this shooting: seven civilians and two officers, according to the hospital.

One of those officers is still in critical condition; at least three other patients have already been discharged.

UofL Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jason Smith will join the 3 p.m. briefing alongside Louisville Metro Emergency Services, the Louisville mayor and LMPD.

1:04 p.m.

Statements are pouring in from today’s mass shooting, including from President Joe Biden.

“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.

Too many Americans are paying for the price of inaction with their lives.

When will Republicans in Congress act to protect our communities?” he wrote on Twitter at 12:50 p.m. Monday.

Beshear, also on Twitter, said he’s calling on everyone to share “love, support and compassion” with the Louisville community.

“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. ^AB” he wrote.

“We are keeping our fellow Kentuckians in Louisville close to our hearts. We pray for the healing of those who were injured, and for the friends and family of everyone involved,” Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton wrote on Twitter.

Another press briefing is scheduled for 3 p.m.

11 a.m.

Eight people were hospitalized and four people were killed, officials confirmed in updated numbers in their 11 a.m. press briefing.

Two of the eight injured were police officers with one currently in surgery in critical condition.

LMPD says the shooter, possibly either a former or current employee who had access to the building, walked into a board meeting and opened fire.

Officials are still trying to determine whether an officer killed the shooter or the shooter took his own life.

In the briefing, Beshear said he “had a very close friend that didn’t make it today.”

Old National Bank’s CEO Jim Ryan and its executive team are heading to Louisville now as well.

“The safety of ONB employees and everyone we serve in our banking center locations is paramount,” Ryan wrote on Twitter. “As we await more details, we are deploying employee assistance support and keeping everyone affected by this tragedy in our thoughts and prayers.”

10:20 a.m.

The shooter “has been neutralized,” according to LMPD. There is no longer an active threat.

As of 10:20 a.m., five people are dead and six were taken to a local hospital, including one police officer.

9:40 a.m.

An active shooter and “multiple casualties” have been reported in downtown Louisville, according to the Louisville Metro Police Department.

The incident is in the 300 block of East Main Street. Police are telling the public to avoid the area.

According to ABC affiliate WHAS, the incident took place inside the Old National Bank. Witnesses told WHAS reporters they saw shots fired at the bank.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI are both on scene.

Gov. Andy Beshear wrote in a tweet he’s heading to Louisville now.

“LMPD has confirmed a shooting situation in downtown Louisville with multiple casualties. I am headed there now. Please pray for all of the families impacted and for the city of Louisville. ^AB” he said.

This is a developing story. Stick with ABC 36 for updates