An American young man opened fire on Monday, April 10, at the bank where he worked, in Louisville, the main city of Kentucky, killing five people and injuring at least eight while broadcasting images of the attack live on the Internet, before he was shot by the police. .
After an initial death toll of four, police in Louisville (mid-eastern United States) announced in the evening that a fifth victim, a 57-year-old woman, had died of her injuries.
sequel after announcement
The shooter, Connor Sturgeon, was 25 “live feed” Louisville Police Chief Jacqueline Gwen Villarroel said at a press conference during the attack.
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A spokeswoman for Meta (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram) said in a statement to AFP that the company was “In contact with law enforcement authorities” and has “The ‘live’ broadcast of this morning’s tragic event was quickly removed.”.
Authorities did not say a motive for the shooting, but CNN said Conor Sturgeon had just been told he was being fired and left a message for his family saying he was going to shoot. at the bank’s headquarters.
The survivors are in the safe room
Police were called shortly after 8:30 a.m. to a shooting at the old National Bank headquarters in downtown, and police arrived at the scene. “In less than three minutes.”said Jacqueline Gwen Villarroel.
sequel after announcement
And according to CNN, some of the survivors managed to find refuge in the cellar.
“The suspect fired at the police, we opened fire in response and neutralized the danger.”Jacqueline Gwen Villarroel added.
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the police They entered the building knowing they were risking their lives to save others.Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said at the news conference.
Two officers were wounded in the exchange of fire. One of them was hit in the head badly and his condition is stable but still critical after brain surgery, said Jacqueline Gwen Villarroel.
“Satanic act of targeted violence”
In all, nine people have been admitted for treatment at the Louisville hospital.
One of the wounded died this evening, bringing the death toll to five.
sequel after announcement
The five dead, three men and two women, ranged in age from 40 to 64.
“It was an infernal act of targeted violence.”said Mayor Greenberg, who said he lost a “a very good friend” in killing.
The victim, Tommy Elliott, was also one “Best Friends” By Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who honored him and spoke out against gun violence.
Such works “Tearing the bonds that unite us”said the Democratic Governor, voicing him ” pain “ After today’s events.
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Joe Biden called Andy Beshear that evening to discuss the event “tragic”The White House said in a statement.
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The president had earlier denounced it “An absurd new episode of gun violence.”.
Our nation is once again in mourning.he wrote on Twitter, relentlessly calling — and with little chance of success — for Congress to ban assault rifles.
The shooter was armed with a rifle of this type, an AR-15, that is often used during killings in the country, according to CNN, citing a federal police source.
More guns than people
The United States pays a high price for the deployment of firearms on its soil and the ease with which Americans can access them.
sequel after announcement
On March 27, a person opened fire at a private elementary school in Nashville, which borders Tennessee, killing three 9-year-olds and three staff members before they were shot by police.
The country has more individual guns than the population: one in three adults owns at least one gun, and one in two adults lives in a household with one.
The result of this prevalence has been the extremely high rate of firearm deaths in the United States, not comparable to that of other developed countries.
According to the Archives of Gun Violence database, about 49,000 people died of gunshot wounds in 2021, compared to 45,000 in 2020, which was already a record year. This represents more than 130 deaths per day, more than half of which are suicides.
