Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear chokes back tears as he pays tribute to friend killed in bank shooting
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear choked during a TV interview as he paid tribute to one of his close friends who was killed along with four others in the Louisville bank shooting on Monday.
Beshear, one of only two Democratic governors in the South, has gone public with his outrage over the murder of his friend and former campaign chairman, Tommy Elliott, 63, who died in the tragedy.
While fighting back tears, he also expressed condolences to the parents of 25-year-old killer, Connor Sturgeon.
“This person killed my friend. Still, I can’t imagine what his parents must be feeling right now,” Beshear said CNN Wednesday.
Sturgeon was employed as a syndication clerk and portfolio banker at the location.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (pictured) choked as he spoke on Wednesday about his heartbreak over one of his closest friends, who was one of five killed in Monday’s Louisville bank shooting
He stormed into a conference room at the Old National Bank shortly after 8:30 a.m. with an AR-15 rifle — about half an hour before the branch opened to the public.
Elliott, the bank’s senior vice president, had donated $2,000 to Beshear’s gubernatorial campaign in 2018 and had donated to many Democratic candidates over the years.
He was well known in local and state Democratic circles and served on Beshear’s inaugural committee in 2019.
That’s not how Beshear wanted people to think of him in the Wednesday night interview.
Man, he had a great smile. His eyes lit up. Loved life. Was always busy with something. He was trying to make the city a better place, but he was just always doing something,” he said.
He wanted people to think of Elliott as a loving husband and father, noting that he was the one who told Elliott’s wife that he had passed away.
“I knew it would be hours before others could call her. And I felt she deserved to know, and we’re now close to where I made that call,” he said.
Beshear, who is up for re-election in deep red Kentucky in 2023, also noted that he and Elliott were plotting the Democrat’s next moves when he was done as governor.
Thomas Elliott, 63, one of Governor Andy Beshear’s closest friends, died Monday morning in the mass shooting at Old National Bank in Louisville, Kentucky
Beshear, who is running for reelection in 2023 in deep red Kentucky, also noted that he and Elliott were plotting the Democrat’s next moves when he was finished as governor.
Connor Sturgeon killed five people – former colleagues at Old National Bank – before being shot dead by police on Monday
“He was trying to make plans for me for when I’m done as governor, something I hoped we could eventually plan together,” Beshear said. “A wonderful man, a loving father.”
Beshear said that while he favored “red flag” gun laws — which allow the courts to take firearms from those deemed a danger to themselves or others — he didn’t think it was as likely as long as Republicans retain control of the retain legislative power.
While he admitted it may not have stopped Sturgeon during his rampage, it may help someone in the future.
“At least it allows us to stop that next person — at least if we know about it — before they kill people,” he said. “And listen, I know people will say that wouldn’t have stopped this situation. And that probably wouldn’t have been the case. Maybe it’s next. I don’t want another family to go through this.”
The death of Deana Eckert, 57, an executive administrative officer at the bank and mother of two, was confirmed Monday night by Louisville police.
All five were senior executives at the bank.
Tommy Elliott, 63, a close friend of Governor Andy Beshear, was named among the dead, as was Joshua Barrick, 40; James ‘Jim’ Tutt, 64; and Juliana Boer, 57.
They were pronounced dead at a press conference Monday afternoon.
The five were killed by their former colleague Connor Sturgeon, 25, when he stormed into an Old National Bank conference room at 8:30am – half an hour before the branch opened to the public.
Jim Ryan, the bank’s CEO, said Monday night: “There are no words to adequately describe the grief and devastation our Old National family is experiencing as we mourn the tragic loss of our team members and pray for the recovery of all those who have been injured.’
Deana Eckert, 57, an executive administrative assistant at the bank, was pronounced dead Monday night
James ‘Jim’ Tutt, 64 (left), was a market director at Old National Bank, while Joshua Barrick, 40 (right) was vice president of commercial real estate
Juliana Farmer, 57, a loan analyst with the regional firm, was a mother and grandmother
Ryan continued: ‘Obviously this is an incredibly difficult situation and our full focus is on making sure all those affected receive the support and assistance they need.
“On behalf of everyone at Old National, I would also like to acknowledge and thank the Louisville Police Department, medical community, and state and local officials for their incredible response to this tragedy.
“And finally, we ask that you please continue to pray for all those affected.”
Tutt was a commercial real estate manager for Old National Bank’s southern region.
Barrick, who appears to have a wife and two young children, was senior vice president of commercial real estate at the bank, where he had worked since last August, according to his LinkedIn.
Farmer – a mother and grandmother – was a loan analyst at the regional firm.
Sturgeon’s mother frantically called 911 and told the operator that her son “currently has a gun and is on his way to” the bank where he killed five people. Authorities released the calls on Wednesday.
Bank employee Connor Sturgeon, 25, used an AR-15 assault rifle in the attack on Old National Bank on Monday, where he live-streamed the massacre before police fatally shot him.
Eight other people were injured, including a police officer who was shot in the head and is in critical condition in hospital.
In the call from a woman who identified herself as Sturgeon’s mother, Lisa, she told the operator, “He’s never hurt anyone; he’s a really good boy. Please don’t punish him… He is non-violent; he never did anything wrong.’
She told the operator that her son’s roommate, Dallas Whalen, found a note and called her.
Connor Sturgeon on the right with his father, Todd, mother, Lisa, and his younger brother, Cameron
The Louisville gunman (seen here on his prom night) killed five people and wounded at least seven during the bench shooting
Bank employee Connor Sturgeon, 25, used an AR-15 assault rifle in Monday’s attack on Old National Bank, where he killed five colleagues while livestreaming before police shot him dead
Lisa was told by the operator that they had received multiple 911 calls about the shooting. “So he’s here already?” Sturgeon’s mom asked, adding, “I’m sorry, I’m trying to get to my car… I’m shaking.”
The operator then advised her to stay away from the scene of the shooting.
During the conversation, Lisa also speculated that her son may have gotten his gun from his girlfriend. “I don’t know where he would have gotten a gun. He must have got it from his girlfriend or something.’
She later said, “I think maybe his girlfriend had a gun. I don’t know, maybe he saw them.’
Authorities believe Sturgeon bought the gun about a week before the massacre.
None of the callers were identified by name and other information was removed from the calls, but the first message that came in was from a woman on a video call in the bank.
She screamed and cried during the four-minute conversation, saying there was an active shooter at the bank’s downtown branch.