A gunman shot and killed four people and injured eight at a bank in Louisville, a city in the State of Kentucky, United States of America.
Police in Louisville while confirming that the gunman killed at least four people, it also stated that the suspect died after an exchange of gunfire with police officers at the Old National Bank on Monday morning.
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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.
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.
Deputy Police Chief Paul Humphrey stated that at the scene, the police encountered the suspect “almost immediately” and were involved in an exchange of gunfire. He however stated that it remains unclear whether the suspect was shot and killed by the officers or died at his own hand.
He said at least eight people were being treated for wounds, including two police officers. One officer and another of the wounded were in critical condition.
“We believe this is a lone gunman involved,” Humphrey said.
Speaking at a press conference following the incident, a sorrow filled Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear on the verge of tears, siad he knew victims in the attack.
“I have a very close friend that didn’t make it today,” he said, “and one who’s at the hospital that I hope is going to make it through.”
“We will come together as a community to work to prevent these horrific acts of gun violence from continuing here and around the state,” Craig Greenberg, mayor of the city of 625,000, said.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who represents Kentucky, wrote on Twitter he was “devastated” by the news and offered “thoughts and prayers” to the victims families and the city.
Elaine and I are devastated by the news coming out of Louisville this morning. Thank you to LMPD and our first responders for your bravery at the scene. We send our prayers to the victims, their families, and the city of Louisville as we await more information.
— Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) April 10, 2023
According to the Gun Violence Archive, the Louisville incident was the 146th mass shooting, defined as incidents in which four or more people were shot or killed, in the United States this year.
It happened just two weeks after a former student killed three children and three adults at a Christian elementary school in Nashville, about 160 miles (260 kilometers) to the south.
Nnamdi Maduakor is a Writer, Investor and Entrepreneur
