April 10 (UPI) -- A fifth person shot during a mass shooting Monday morning inside a bank lobby in Kentucky has died, police have confirmed.
Deanna Eckert, 57, died Monday night, according to a statement from Louisville Metro Police spokesman Aaron Ellis. Four others killed inside the Old National Bank in Louisville were identified as bank employees Tommy Elliott, 63; Jim Tutt, 64; Josh Barrick, 40; and Juliana Farmer, 57.
Eight people were injured -- including a police officer who is in critical condition after he was shot in the head -- according to officers who said the shooter also was killed.
Officers identified the gunman as 25-year-old Connor Sturgeon, who was an employee at Old National Bank on Main Street in Louisville and had recently received notice he was going to be fired, according to interim Louisville Metro Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel. She said Sturgeon live-streamed the shooting as it happened.
"I will say this, that the suspect was live-streaming. And unfortunately, that's tragic. To know that that incident was out there and captured," Gwinn-Villaroel told reporters.
Gwinn-Villaroel said Sturgeon left a note to his parents and a friend about his plans for the shooting. The incident was live-streamed on Instagram but was taken down, according to police who now have a copy of the video.
Sturgeon interned at the bank for three summers while he was a student at the University of Alabama, according to his LinkedIn profile. He joined the bank as a commercial development professional in June 2021.
According to police, Sturgeon was armed with a rifle and was killed by police after exchanging gunfire.
Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey said that as police arrived on the scene, the suspect, who was "still firing gunshots," began to target the officers, who returned fire.
"Ultimately that suspect did die at the scene," Humphrey said.
Humphrey said in all, 13 people were shot and that emergency personnel transported nine to the University of Louisville Hospital, including two police officers.
One of the injured officers, who was shot in the head, underwent brain surgery Monday, Humphrey said.
"Officer Nickolas Wilt, a new officer to the LMPD, ran towards the gunfire today to save lives," the department tweeted. "He remains in critical condition after being shot in the head."
The other officer's injuries were not critical. He was treated and released, along with two other patients.
Humphrey said officers arrived at about 8:30 a.m., EDT, within three minutes of the initial call, and he believes that response saved more people from being injured or killed.
"It is clear from the officers' response that they absolutely saved people's lives," he said. "It was a heroic response of officers that made sure that no more people were more seriously injured than what happened."
On Monday, President Joe Biden issued a statement, saying he and first lady Jill Biden were "praying for those killed and injured in the tragic shooting in Louisville, and for the survivors who will carry grief and trauma for the rest of their lives."
Biden also singled out Republicans for the latest gun violence.
"How many more Americans must die before Republicans in Congress will act to protect our communities? It's long past time that we require safe storage of firearms. Require background checks for all gun sales. Eliminate gun manufacturers' immunity from liability," Biden said. "We can and must do these things now."
Monday's shooting happened exactly two weeks after another shooter stepped into a private school in Nashville and killed three children and three adults, sparking renewed calls for gun-safety legislation.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said the city has set up a family assistance center to help those affected by 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, as he revealed he is also a survivor of a workplace shooting.
"To the survivors and the families, our entire city is here to wrap our arms around you," Greenberg said.
"I'm a survivor of a workplace shooting. To the people who survived, whether you were physically hurt or not, I know you're hurting, too. We are here for you, as well," Greenberg added.
The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have both responded to the scene to investigate.
Old National Bank said in a statement Monday that members of its executive team, including CEO Jim Ryan, had arrived at the site in response to the shooting.
"The safety of Old National Bank employees and everyone we serve in our banking center locations is paramount," said Ryan. "As we await more details, we are deploying employee assistance support and keeping everyone affected by this tragedy in our thoughts and prayers."
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who traveled to Louisville, said one of Monday's victims was "one of my closest friends." Beshear said Elliott "helped me build my law career. Helped me become governor. Gave me advice on being a good dad. He was an incredible friend."
"Please pray for all of the families impacted and for the city of Louisville," Beshear said on Twitter.
Beshear has ordered all state flags throughout Kentucky to be flown at half-staff through Friday to honor the victims of the shooting.
"We are one commonwealth, united with Louisville and the families impacted today," Beshear tweeted. "Let's love them with all our hearts."
