Louisville Shooter Had Mental Health Issues, Family Says

In images from video, Connor Sturgeon stands inside Old National Bank in Louisville, Ky., on April 10, 2023. Louisville Metro Police Department via The Epoch Times

The man who opened fire at a bank in Louisville this week was struggling with mental health issues, according to members of his family.

Relatives also said they didn’t notice any sign that Connor Sturgeon, the shooter, was capable of carrying out a mass shooting.

“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,” the family said in a statement to media outlets.

The details of the mental health problems weren’t given.

“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 family stated.

Sturgeon opened fire before Old National Bank opened on April 10, according to surveillance images. He started shooting during a morning meeting.

Sturgeon, who was employed by the bank, killed five people and wounded at least eight others.

The deceased have been identified as Joshua Barrick, 40; Thomas Elliot, 63; Juliana Farmer, 45; James Tutt, 64; and Deana Eckert, 57. All worked at the bank.

“We do know this was targeted. He knew those individuals, of course, because he worked there,” Louisville Metro Interim Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel said during a briefing.

Sturgeon’s family expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

“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,” the family stated. “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.”

Louisville police officers rushed to the scene after shots were fired, confronted Sturgeon, and shot him dead.

Sturgeon had told another person that he was suicidal and left behind a note, according to Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.). Police have declined to comment on those details, although officials said they recovered multiple items during a search of Sturgeon’s home.

He purchased the rifle he used legally, authorities said on April 11.

This screengrab shows officer Cory Galloway taking cover behind a concrete planter during an ongoing shooting incident captured by a bystander at Old National Bank in Louisville, Ky., on April 10, 2023. Screenshot via The Epoch Times/Louisville Metro Police Department

Body Camera Footage

Body camera footage from responding officers shows them running toward the gunshots at 8:41 a.m., about three minutes after Sturgeon started shooting.

Officer Nickolas Wilt, a recent graduate of the police academy, was shot in the head and is still in critical condition.

Cory Galloway, another officer, was grazed by a bullet and sought cover outside the bank.

After several minutes of exchanging fire, Galloway fatally shot Sturgeon.

“I think I got him down! I think he’s down!” Galloway said. “Suspect down.”

Gwinn-Villaroel said, “These officers unflinchingly answered the call to protect and their duty to serve. They confronted acts of violence head-on and neutralized the threat. Tragically, lives were lost, but countless lives were saved.”

The situation unfolded over about nine minutes.

Sturgeon livestreamed the shooting on Instagram. Meta, which owns Instagram, quickly took down the footage.

Audio related to the shooting, including the 911 calls made in relation to the shooting, was made public on April 12.