Police report: Louisville bank shooter’s journal reveals targeting of ‘upper-class white people’ to emphasize lax gun laws and spur political action
OAN’s Brooke Mallory
5:09 PM – Wednesday, November 22, 2023
According to a police report released on Tuesday that included excerpts from the shooter’s journal, the man who killed five people at a bank in Louisville, Kentucky, in April was driven by his anger over the country’s “careless” gun laws and believed that a “bloody rampage” of White victims would prompt politicians into action.
When Connor Sturgeon, 25, revealed in his journal that he was having mental health problems and was greatly dissatisfied with his employment and the path that his life was headed, he opened fire on his coworkers inside a conference room at the Old National Bank on East Main Street on April 10th.
During the incident, eight more people were injured, including a responding officer who was critically wounded after being hit in the head. In almost eight minutes, Sturgeon fired over forty shots, according to the report.
“I have decided to make an impact. These people did not deserve to die, but because I was depressed and able to buy [guns], they are gone,” Sturgeon wrote on April 4th in his journal, according to the report released by the Louisville Police Department.
“Perhaps this is the impact for change – upper class White people dying. I certainly would not have been able to do this were it more difficult to get a gun,” he continued.
According to a receipt in the police report, he made the $500 purchase of the AR-15 firearm used in the fatal shooting six days after making the journal entry on April 4th. In a 45-minute transaction, he also purchased four rifle magazines and 120 shots.
While admitting that he had immense mental health issues, Sturgeon expressed amazement at “how easy” it was for him to buy and take home the firearm.
“OH MY GO THIS IS SO EASY,” he wrote in one journal entry. “I knew it would be doable but this is ridiculous.”
In his journal, the 25-year-old assailant continued to criticize pro-Second Amendment legislators, writing that he wanted his violent actions to galvanize them so that lawmakers would be prompted to alter gun laws.
“I know our politicians are solely focused on lining their own pockets, but maybe this will knock some sense into them. If not, good luck,” Sturgeon said. “A level of corruption that stands directly between us and progress,” he continued.
According to the report, he also wrote, “They won’t listen to words or protests, so let’s see if they hear this,” in his iPhone Notes app.
Additionally, some of his most recent phone notes made it clear that Sturgeon saved his most harsh criticisms for the National Rifle Association (NRA).
“But let us not forget the most important player here,” he wrote on April 9th. “The one who made all this possible. [Let’s] give it up for the NRA!!”
“I couldn’t have done this without all of your lobbying dollars! You really brought this whole thing together. This is the world you are building. One without any regard for the value of human life,” Sturgeon added.
According to the Washington Post, Sturgeon had no trouble obtaining a gun in Kentucky since he had no prior criminal record and would have been able to pass the background check mandated by the federal government.
The state lacks “red flag” legislation, which forbids the purchase and ownership of firearms by anyone believed to be dangerous.
However, given that Sturgeon had not informed authorities or health officials of his mental health issues, it is also possible that the legislation would still not have stopped him from purchasing the weapon.
According to Sturgeon’s parents, the couple’s main concern now revolves around their desire to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the assault gun, blaming the weapon as opposed to blaming their son’s mental health issues that went ignored and unreported, as well as his extremist far-left political ideals.
The five individuals who perished in the shooting were: Jim Tutt Jr., 64, an executive in the commercial real estate market, Thomas Elliott, 63, a senior vice president, Deana Eckert, 57, an executive administrative officer, and Joshua Barrick, 40, a senior vice president, and Juliana Farmer, 45, a loan analyst.
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How does the absence of ”red flag” legislation in Kentucky highlight the need for comprehensive gun control measures at the state level
Title: The Tragic Old National Bank Shooting Highlights the Need for Stricter Gun Laws
Introduction:
The devastating shooting incident that took place at the Old National Bank in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 10, 2023, has left the nation in shock. According to a police report recently released, the shooter, Connor Sturgeon, was driven by his anger over the country’s “careless” gun laws and believed that a “bloody rampage” targeting white victims would force politicians to take action. This incident raises important questions about the need for stricter gun control measures in the United States.
The Shooter’s Troubled State of Mind:
In his journal, Sturgeon confessed to having mental health problems and being deeply dissatisfied with his employment and the direction his life was taking. On that fateful day, he opened fire on his co-workers at the bank, resulting in the death of five people and injuring several others. Sturgeon fired over forty shots, highlighting the alarming ease with which he was able to acquire the AR-15 firearm used in the attack.
A Disturbing Journal Entry:
Sturgeon’s journal entry revealed his intentions, stating, “These people did not deserve to die, but because I was depressed and able to buy [guns], they are gone.” He further expressed his belief that upper-class white individuals dying would provoke politicians into making changes to existing gun laws. This disturbing insight into the shooter’s mindset highlights both the impact of mental health issues and the urgent need for stricter gun control regulations.
Ease of Gun Access:
The police report also revealed that Sturgeon was amazed at how easy it was for him to buy and take home the firearm. In just a 45-minute transaction, he purchased the AR-15, along with four rifle magazines and 120 shots. This incident underlines the need to review and reform the current gun purchasing process to prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands.
Criticism Towards the NRA:
Sturgeon’s journal entries were also highly critical of the National Rifle Association (NRA). He attributed the organization’s lobbying efforts and the lenient gun laws it advocates as instrumental in facilitating the shooting. This raises concerns about the influence of interest groups and highlights the need for lawmakers to prioritize public safety over political interests.
Impact of State Legislation:
Kentucky’s lack of “red flag” legislation, which would forbid the purchase and ownership of firearms by individuals deemed dangerous, also played a role in Sturgeon obtaining the weapon. Although the absence of prior criminal records allowed him to pass the background checks mandated by the federal government, it is evident that more comprehensive legislation is necessary.
The Need for Change:
This tragic incident demonstrates the urgent need for stricter gun control measures in the United States. It calls for politicians and lawmakers to prioritize public safety over the interests of lobbying groups. Addressing mental health issues and preventing individuals from accessing firearms without proper screening and evaluation are essential steps towards avoiding similar tragedies in the future.
Conclusion:
The Old National Bank shooting in Louisville, Kentucky, serves as a harrowing reminder of the urgent need for stricter gun control measures in the United States. The ease with which the shooter acquired the AR-15 rifle and the absence of effective legislation to prevent such incidents call for immediate action. It is imperative that lawmakers prioritize public safety, mental health support, and comprehensive background checks to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
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