Current:Home > FinancePolice: Kentucky bank shooter wrote in journal about ease of buying assault weapon before killings-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Police: Kentucky bank shooter wrote in journal about ease of buying assault weapon before killings
View Date:2024-12-23 18:40:42
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The man who fatally shot five coworkers at a Louisville bank in April wrote in his journal that he wasn’t sure if his mental health struggles would preclude him from purchasing a gun and then later, after acquiring one just days before carrying out the mass shooting, remarked on how easy the transaction turned out to be.
The journal writings by Connor Sturgeon were contained in a 64-page report released Tuesday by Louisville police, where authorities say they have now closed the investigation into the actions of the 25-year-old who also died that day in an exchange of gunfire with authorities.
Sturgeon wrote that it “was so easy” to purchase the assault rifle, a Radical Firearms RF-15, from a Louisville gun store, according to the police file. He bought the rifle, 120 rounds and four magazine cartridges for $700 six days before the shooting, and the process took about 45 minutes, he said.
“Seriously, I knew it would be doable but this is ridiculous,” he wrote.
He also acknowledged his struggles with mental illness and said he was dissatisfied with his job and the direction his life was taking. He wrote that he was “very sick” and suggested that he had lied about his health to avoid further treatment or institutionalization.
The April 10 shootings began when Sturgeon opened fire in a conference room in the downtown high-rise bank building. One of the first officers to respond was struck in the head and critically wounded. Another officer shot and killed the gunman in the lobby.
Sturgeon fired more than 40 rounds over the course of about eight minutes, according to the report. Investigators remarked that it appeared he “did not have a firm understanding” of how to operate the weapon.
The report noted that investigators did not find “evidence of long-term planning,” though there were references in his journals to what he intended to do in the days beforehand. Nor did investigators find evidence he made extensive online searches related to gun violence.
Sturgeon’s family has said they intend to sue the maker of the rifle used in the attack. His parents said his mental health struggle began a year earlier with panic attacks, anxiety and a suicide attempt, but he was seeing a psychiatrist and taking medication.
His mother, Lisa Sturgeon, said his roommate called her the morning of the shooting to say Sturgeon told him by phone: “I’m going to go in and shoot up Old National.” She called 911, but her son was already at the bank.
The five employees killed were Joshua Barrick, 40, a senior vice president; Deana Eckert, 57, an executive administrative officer; Tommy Elliott, 63, also a senior vice president; Juliana Farmer, 45, a loan analyst; and Jim Tutt Jr., 64, a commercial real estate market executive. Elliott was a close personal friend of Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
Eight others were injured including Nickolas Wilt, the officer who was shot in the head and who was released from the hospital in late July after months of rehab.
Sturgeon was shot by an officer in the right arm twice, the left leg once and once in the head, according to the report.
Investigators determined that the actions of the officer who shot Sturgeon were not criminal, the report said.
veryGood! (95)
Related
- Nicky Hilton Shares Her Christmas Plans With Paris, the Secret To Perfect Skin & More Holiday Gift Picks
- Chanel West Coast Reveals Why She Really Left Ridiculousness
- President Joe Biden tests positive for COVID-19 while campaigning in Las Vegas, has ‘mild symptoms’
- What JD Vance has said about U.S. foreign policy amid the war in Ukraine
- What Republicans are saying about Matt Gaetz’s nomination for attorney general
- U.S. Secret Service director agrees to testify to House lawmakers after Trump assassination attempt
- Atlanta man arrested after driving nearly 3 hours to take down Confederate flag in SC: Officials
- GOP vice presidential pick Vance talks Appalachian ties in speech as resentment over memoir simmers
- Top Federal Reserve official defends central bank’s independence in wake of Trump win
- Former Green Bay Packers receiver Randall Cobb moving into TV role with SEC Network
Ranking
- Lunchables get early dismissal: Kraft Heinz pulls the iconic snack from school lunches
- Report: WNBA agrees to $2.2B, 11-year media rights deal with ESPN, Amazon, NBC
- Arlington Renegades, Bob Stoops, draft Oklahoma WR Drake Stoops in UFL draft
- Donald Trump’s Family: A Guide to the Former President’s Kids and Grandkids
- FBI offers up to $25,000 reward for information about suspect behind Northwest ballot box fires
- Arlington Renegades, Bob Stoops, draft Oklahoma WR Drake Stoops in UFL draft
- Blake Lively Shares Cheeky “Family Portrait” With Nod to Ryan Reynolds
- Pro-war Russian athletes allowed to compete in Paris Olympic games despite ban, group says
Recommendation
-
Blake Shelton Announces New Singing Competition Show After Leaving The Voice
-
Triple decapitation: Man accused of killing parents, family dog in California
-
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Tri-Tip
-
Caitlin Clark sets record for most assists in a WNBA game: Fever vs. Wings stats
-
Judge sets April trial date for Sarah Palin’s libel claim against The New York Times
-
Sheryl Lee Ralph overjoyed by Emmy Awards nomination: 'Never gets old'
-
Fireball streaking across sky at 38,000 mph caused loud boom that shook NY, NJ, NASA says
-
16 Life-Changing Products You Never Knew You Needed Until Now