A “suicidal” gunman legally purchased the high-powered rifle, used to kill five co-workers at a Louisville bank, less than a week before the carnage unfolded, officials said Tuesday.
Connor Sturgeon, 25, bought the AR-15-style weapon on April 4 from an authorized seller, Louisville Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel told reporters.
“We have also learned that he purchased the weapon used in this tragic incident yesterday on April 4,” she said. “He purchased the weapon legally from one of the local dealerships here in Louisville.”
Congressman Morgan McGarvey, a Democrat who represents Louisville, revealed that the killer had sent disturbing text messages signaling he was considering harming himself before Monday’s shooting.
“We know he left a note, we know he texted or called at least one person to let them know that he was suicidal and contemplating harm,” McGarvey said. “But we don’t have the tools on the books to deal with someone who is an imminent danger to themselves or to others.”
Two officers, Cory Galloway and Nickolas Wilt, were shot by Sturgeon, officials said.
Wilt was a recent academy graduate and only on his fourth shift when he rushed toward the bank alongside his field training officer, Galloway, police said.
Galloway was the officer who killed Sturgeon, police said.
“I am just truly proud of the heroic actions of those two officers,” Gwinn-Villaroel said.
“They went toward danger in order to save and preserve life and that’s what you saw yesterday. They stopped the threat so other lives could be saved. No hesitation and they did what they were called to do.”
Louisville police also disclosed that police body camera footage would be made public Tuesday afternoon, showing how officers confronted Sturgeon on Monday morning at Old National Bank in downtown Louisville.
Deana Eckert, 57, was rushed to the hospital following the shooting barrage before her death was announced Monday night.
Earlier on Monday, police identified the four other…
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