(Image via denverpost.com)
Staff Writer: Sydney Cayer
Email: scayer@umassd.edu
TW: Shootings
On April 10th, a mass shooting occurred at Old National Bank in Louisville, Kentucky.
At 8:38 AM, calls were placed from the bank about an active shooter in the area. The call was changed to an active aggressor.
The shooting occurred during a virtual meeting that was being held in a conference room.
The shooter was Connor James Sturgeon. He was 25 years old and a former employee of the company. He worked for them for three years.
After Sturgeon fired the first shots, he started to live stream the incident on Instagram. He continued the live stream until officers killed him.
The officers arrived on the scene three minutes after the first call. At 8:45 AM, the police department confirmed that officers had killed the shooter.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, and Explosives are working on investigating this case.
A motive has not been found.
Five were killed, and eight were injured. Among those wounded includes two officers who responded to the scene.
Josh Barrick
Josh Barrick (40) leaves behind his wife and two young kids.
The GoFundMe for him says, “To know Josh is to love Josh, and this loss is felt in the hearts of so many. He was truly a remarkable man and was taken from us far too soon.”
He also “loved his family above all else,” according to the GoFundMe.
He was a Xavier University alum and the senior vice president of Commercial Real Estate at Old National Bank.
Barrick coached first and second grade basketball at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
Support Barrick’s family here: GoFundMe.
Deana Eckert
Deana Eckert (57) was an executive administrative officer at Old National.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg described her as a “very kind and thoughtful person.” He continued, “She was a wonderful woman who will be missed.”
Eckert won Old National Bank’s One Vision Annual Award in 2019. She was nominated by her colleagues as someone who outperformed expectations and was a great model of the bank’s overall values.
Tommy Elliott
Thomas Elliot (63) was a senior vice president. He leaves behind his wife, two daughters, and two stepdaughters.
He was involved as a Democratic party activist and held close relationships with more than a generation of Louisville and Kentucky Democratic leaders.
Over the last 20 years, he had given tens of thousands of dollars in campaign donations.
According to the Governor of Kentucky, Andy Beshear, they were close friends.
He continued saying, “Tommy Elliott helped me build my law career. Helped me become governor. Gave me advice on being a good dad. He was one of the people I talked to most in the world, and very rarely were we talking about my job. He was an incredible friend.”
Juliana Farmer
Juliana Farmer (45) was only a part of the team for three weeks before the tragedy. She was a loan analyst.
She leaves behind three children and four grandchildren.
The day before the tragedy, it was announced that she would be a grandmother for a fifth time.
Her aunt, Vicki Brooks-Scott, said: “She loved life. “She was a beautiful young lady. All I can say is that heaven has gained a beautiful angel.”
Her daughter, A’lia Chambers, wrote on Facebook: “I can’t live without you mama. I’m your only daughter what am I supposed to do without you mama.”
James Tutt
James Tutt (64) was the Senior Vice President for the southern region of Old National Bank.
He attended the University of Kentucky for his undergraduate and graduate degrees.
He was known for his love of traveling, winemaking, and sailing.
“He was a finance genius, brilliant negotiator, and always the smartest person in the room. He was also incredibly compassionate and had a teacher’s heart,” said David Bizaines, president of Oldham Chamber & Economic Development.
Tutt is survived by his wife, four children, and two grandchildren.
“He was very generous to everyone that he came into contact with. He liked to sail his boat with his son Andrew, made his own wine, and (few people knew) that he also played drums. We can’t believe he is gone. What a loss,” remarked Bizaines.
The Gun Violence Archive has counted over 160 mass shootings in the United States for 2023 so far.