Old National Bank shooting survivors, victims’ families: Gun shop ignored “obvious red flags”

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WTVQ) — Nine months after the deadly mass shooting at Old National Bank in downtown Louisville that killed five and injured several others, a group of survivors and victims’ family members gathered for a news conference on Tuesday afternoon after filing a lawsuit against the local gun shop that sold the gunman the rifle used in the tragedy.

“The tragedy that took place at all. National Bank is infinitely more horrific because it didn’t need to happen,” says Hans Poppe, who represents the victims’ families and survivors. “As our complaint alleges the shooter was able to purchase an assault rifle because River City [Firearms] ignored obvious red flags.”

Attorneys say River City Firearms chose “profits over safety” by ignoring several red flags and up-selling 25-year-old Connor Sturgeon additional attachments and magazines, along with the AR-15 style rifle used in the attack.

Authorities found Sturgeon was experiencing a severe mental health crisis when he walked into the gun shop on April 4, 2023 — just six days before carrying out the attack that killed five people and injured several others.

Survivors and family members left behind described a sense of lingering guilt and pain.

“My husband just went to work on April 10th,” says Karen Tutt, the wife of Jim Tutt — one of the victims in the attack. “If it can happen to him and the countless others that have been victims of mass shootings, school Children and teachers, people going to movies and concerts who have been massacred by acts of gun violence. It can happen to you or your loved ones too.”

Attorney Tad Thomas urged gun shops and firearms dealers to take their obligations seriously.

“I just ask you to hear the stories of these families. You are the first line of defense and you can prevent this next tragedy. So I hope you’ll pay attention to what’s going on here today and what’s going on in Louisville, Kentucky, and do things in your own shops to prevent the next tragedy.”

The lawsuit was filed by four survivors, along with the families of Tutt and Josh Barrick, who died in the shooting. Lawyers representing Tommy Elliott and Juliana Farmer were at the news conference, but said they plan to file a separate lawsuit.

Deana Eckert’s lawyers were not present.